anthropophobia

statice

windswept hair

blonde and tanned

she danced through the door like a gypsy queen

inviting herself in

and my mother rushed to greet her.

i wanted to scream and cry

but i stared at the floor instead

feeling harry's eyes bore into mine

nononononononono

"so you're starting school here?"

nononononononono

"i'm head male prefect"

nononononononono

"i heard you were homeschooled"

i'm going to be sick.

i cannot look up.

i cannot breathe.

with my eyes squeezed shut

and hands that are trembling 

like seizures and heart attacks

i whisper,

"i'm a mute."

to my surprise

harry laughs.

*