25

RYLEE

Being between Marina and Matheus, I felt, in a way, protected from the hostility generated by the prejudice of other people, so I simply decided not to care about them and so I started to have fun as I have done on very few occasions throughout my existence, dancing , drinking soft drinks, eating snacks and taking funny selfies .

However, soon came the moment that discouraged me from going to parties, the one when romantic songs were played and couples gathered on the floor to dance. No one ever asked me to dance, out of shame, out of fear that someone would think he was getting involved with the daughter of the biggest crook in town. And that night was no different.

Marina still offered to stay with me, but I insisted that she go dancing with her date , as I did not want her to stop having fun because of me and, as usual, I went to sit in a corner, feeling painfully excluded, rejected.

Bruno, a guy I almost dated in ninth grade, even approached me, as if he intended to ask me t