-

ordial. "Hey, Stephanie, what a coincidence see

ad the guts to think I'll accept that sorry excuse of an apology." S

don't you think you're being dramatic? It was only the two of us in the restroom, and it was just

dramatic? Don't worry, I'll show you what it is to be dramatic. Gir

hocked because I hadn't even noticed the

those lowlife scholarship scum will never

g on doing to me?" I

e anticipation twists my stomach into knots, making it hard to breathe. Stephanie's fist collides

ates through my body, mingling with the taste of copper as blood fills my mouth. Bla

go," Stephanie taunts, her words slicing through the haze of pain. "From n

rained grunt, barely audib

y. "You're lucky I went easy on you. I didn't touch this pretty face o

er, my voice trembling

ing me crumpled on the forest floor, the pain ove

ore tears begin to pour from my eyes. I'm going to die here if no one comes-and no one is coming because I'm in the mid

k from my eyes again. The rain becomes heavier and drenches me until I begin

y body fully healed. "I must be dreaming." I press my belly and discover the

m dreaming," I mumble, slappin

can't come up with any reasonable explanation. By t

ard me. "Where have you been? Do

ecide to keep the incident to myself. There's

plain yoursel

ter school and got lost in the fo

let me know when it started getting dark? Not

o network there," I say, givi

ou? How can you even get lost? This child of mine," she mutters

ve to worry; no more exploring for me. I'm full

make soup and chamomile tea for you," she says, pla

clothes and sink into a tub fil

as the water eases my aching muscles.

l get cold if you do

ut of the tub and put on comfortable pajamas. At the dining table,

traumatic events of th

a sarcastic look and I add, "I mean yo

romotion available that I'm thinking of working tow

is good at their job, they're good. I believe y

m fantastic at my job. I'm going to bed now, but don't forget to wash the dishes when you

elling me this for years

ve yo

in bed now, my mind focuses on today's events. Stephanie almost k

touched me. I link it to the tap incident, my bathwater turning

ion between all

hat have to do with me? I also remember how fa

and I don't want to know what it is. No won

m now on. If I can even avoid my classes with them,

-

tend to be sick. I make sure to avoid all the Untouchables, using my "ninja skills." I'm currently

me a professional ninja who avoids p

er yesterday's incident, a much

Stephanie because I'm actively avoiding her. When the

. Looking around, I see no one, and my heart begins to race. I quicken my pace,

and her gang. I sprint harder when my house comes into view, shakily unlocking and slamm

normal?" I sigh before

s definitely goin

-