IT STARTED

I Couldn't Keep My Head Straight.

I don't know how I got here—I just blinked, and suddenly, I'm outside at school... hanging out with my friend. She keeps talking and talking, but none of it is sinking in. She's blinking, her lips are moving, she's making expressions—but I can't concentrate. My head is spinning.

Ring, ring—the bell just rang, and...

"Hey! Let's go, didn't you hear the bell?" Anna said.

I snapped back, breathing heavily. Suddenly, the world feels normal again.

"Perissa? Are you alright?" she asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Let's head off." I said.

Everything happened so quickly—I couldn't even keep my head straight. As we walked toward the classroom, I noticed someone. It's Kevin. He looks like he's waiting for something or someone. Why isn't he heading to our classroom? Ah, whatever. Why bother? He can do whatever he wants—that's not my problem.

When we got inside the classroom, we made it just in time—the teacher hadn't arrived yet. I sat down in my chair, not paying Kevin any further attention.

The teacher stepped in.

"Good morning, Ms. G."

Everyone stood up to greet her.

"Good morning indeed. Now, sit down—we'll continue our discussion." Ms. G said.

Not even five minutes into class, I felt someone tapping my shoulder. Tap, tap.

I turned around to see who it was.

"Someone told me to pass this to you," said by my classmate.

"Oh, I see. Thank you," I replied, secretly slipping my hand out to take the paper.

Ms. G turned around.

"Perissa! What are you doing back there?" she yelled.

"A paper," I said.

"Are you disturbing your classmates?" she asked.

"No, Ms. G They gave me the paper—I swear, I'm not the one passing it around," I insisted.

"I don't want to hear your excuses. Go to the principal's office," she ordered.

"But I just—uhm... yes, Ms. G." She didn't even let me explain further.

As I gathered my things to head to the principal's office, I held the paper in my hand. Slowly walking out of the classroom, I opened it.

And this is what was written:

"HEY SUCKER, YOU DON'T BELONG HERE. YOU'RE WEIRD, YOU PIECE OF SHIT. I HOPE YOU DIE!"

Walking slowly toward the principal's office—

Ah, classic. And all caps, too. Honestly, at this point, I don't even mind. Meaningless messages like this? They just happen. I let them. There's nothing I can do. Everyone's against me. So yeah—that's my life at school.

Seconds later.

I arrived at the principal's office.

Knock, knock.

Mr. Mison opened the door.

"Oh, Perissa, sit down," he said.

"What brought you here?"

"Ms. G sent me," I answered.

"And why is that?" he asked.

"I was distracting my classmates. I'm sorry," I said casually.