Everything changes after Ben’s punch. I don’t find the necklace and the pranks start. It started with the itching powder sprinkled on my books. Goosebumps cover my skin at the reminder. I don’t want to remember that episode or the serious swelling it caused. Mum panicked, Dad made me stay at home for a day. The jam on my locker came next. It took Maria dipping a finger into the thick, red mixture to convince me it wasn’t blood. The tampons made it look real and I know a certain she-devil who might have had a hand in that. Maybe it is all in my head but Ben hitting me in front of everyone encouraged this, made it kind of okay for them to unleash their reserved hate. Students are everywhere as I rush down the stairs, casting backward glances at intervals as if expecting someone to appear behind me. Someone named Maria. I am avoiding her and Daniel, they have made it their job to walk me to all my classes. I won’t let them continue babysitting me at the expense of being

I am wearing makeup again because the witch scratched my face.  The reminder has my jaw clenching but the image of her glitter covered hair, the shock etched on her flawless face brings a small smile to my lips. I swipe at my cheek, frowning at my fingertips coated in foundation and my body thrums with anger. I cannot forgive him, I will never forgive him even if he was the one who carried me to the nurse after I blacked out. He should have never interfered, I would have dealt with her properly. I pound my fists against my thighs, determined to ignore the boy appearing in my peripheral view. Mr Sam scribbles some more on the board, following it with a lengthy explanation. They say you understand the lyrics of a song when you are sad but in truth, you understand Calculus better when you are sad. Mr Sam throws a question to the class, I surprise myself by raising my hand. His hesitation to call on me stings a little but I understand it. Abigail snickers as I stalk

The bucket list is a stupid list of things we want to do before finishing high school. I have something as silly as going on a date while she has something as big as sending her singing clip to America Got Talent. The bucket list says I have to try out for drama club this session, something I always put off because Olivia and her minions have been the reigning drama queens but that sneaky bestie of mine snuck it into the list. I get enough acting experience from being in the church’s plays but to Maria, it doesn’t count. I slip into class, a greater part of the lecture is spent thinking up lies to escape this little problem Maria created for me. After the last class of the day, I find myself walking towards the drama room while hugging my textbook tight to my chest. A peek through the small rectangular glass on the door reveals an empty room, I frown at the words written boldly on the paper glued to the door. An announcement.Practise starts at five.

Broadway Heights is back to normalcy by Monday morning, the hallway is crowded with different groups mingling with themselves. I laugh at something Maria says, she gives me a look. “What? It’s true.”  “It’s not,” I reply, trying to keep the flatness out of my voice. Her dramatic gasp amuses me, she grips my shoulder. I don’t allow her intense look deter me. “You cannot walk on fire without getting burned.”  “You know nothing, my dear,” she retorts. I make to whack the back of my head, she scurries ahead of me with a wicked laugh and goes to stand in front of her locker. I join her, she hums to herself while taking out the books for the first period. I mimic her movements, stuffing my bag with more notes than I require. I snicker when the weight of her books drags her arm down. A textbook drops, my eyes fall to the purse strapped around her waist, I shake my head.  Already sensing my remark, she squats to pick the text and says, “Shh.”

The air outside is a bit chilly. Of late, the weather has been deceptive. In the morning, I couldn’t stand the heat, now it’s freezing. On some days, the reverse is the case. My teeth chatter noiselessly, I lock my arms around myself and speed walk to my car. A figure with his head bowed catches my eyes, I stop, reminded of the evening with Asher. The evening that got me into the clinic. My stomach groans as if to remind me of the pain, I palm my lower belly and inhale. The figure pushes away from the motorbike to lace his sneakers, I smile when I realise it is indeed Asher. I don’t make any attempts to call him, if the bike is there, then Ben must be lurking somewhere, ready to pounce on me again. Asher might be a cutie but I will pass today. Asher notices me right as I resume walking to my car, he screams my name and I curse under my breath. I turn slowly to wave at him, my eyes darting to the front of the building. It opens and an unfamiliar face walks out, I relax slight