Puberty can explain this.

Ryan thought as he noticed a small scar appearing on his lower belly when he turned 13. He has been waiting for puberty all his life. Growing up among a family of giants, he longed for the day he won’t be looked down on and be on eye level with the rest of his family.

It was just puberty things. That was how his parents explained his shortness, saying it would go away with time. He was a Hammington. If there’s anything in their genes, its their tallness.

Turns out it did not go away. In fact, it added up each morning. They pop out like hair. Small but definitely there. They don’t hurt. Most of all, he has no idea how they got there.

He wasn’t a klutz like his sister, Tati. She was scarless even from when she fell straight into concrete. With rocks. He stared jealously as she walked out into the world in shorts and a tube top. He has to go out in long sleeves and was considering buying a turtleneck when he saw a fresh scar appearing on his small but he knows its going to have friends the upcoming mornings. If he, you know, lives.

While he wasn’t the smartest bulb in the box or whatever, Google is there. There is no need to be smart when you can search up anything and everything. All the answers in the world are out there. There must be some sort of answer as to why this was happening to him.

At first the explanation was a horrible injury. The most hazardous thing Ryan did to himself was slipping on the toilet seat and landing butt first into the tiled floor. And he can confirm there was no scar on his ass.

Second explanation was that he had a terrible disease. There were no diseases wherein small scars came up out of nowhere so his must be new. Upon his research new diseases have no cures.

Doom was looming in his future apparently. Not as doom worthy as a 13 year old with a damn turtleneck.

Stealing a bit of his sisters make up, he proceeded to conceal as a way to cover his mysterious scars. He looked like he was half white and half paper bag but he’ll explain that as a half sunburn.

Gym had other plans though.

“Wash up that make up, Hammington.” Coach Jesse said recognizing a horrible attempt of make up when she sees it.

So Ryan went to the showers. The water ran brown as all the concealer he blended on his himself came off.

Unknown to him another student came in.

“Woah, I have that too!” The other student exclaimed.

Together in their nakedness they looked at each of their scars.

Then it got weird quick.

Then covered each other’s privates.

“Know why this is happening to us?” Ryan was the first to ask of the two.

“Dunno. No idea.” The other guy said. “I’m Trent. Thought I was the only one like this.”

“This is probably a new disease.” Ryan said sharing his information.

“Like dying and stuff?” Trent looked scared.

“Dunno.” Ryan replied.

2 people with the same problem. 2 people who don’t know a thing.

Together, the boys wore turtlenecks and perfected their concealer game as the scars continued to appear on their bodies.