s on me. Well, it had actually started on the bus. The moment my foot hit the

ractically trying

uld, I'd take it all back. I never wanted to be f

mage is do

lway, unable to avoid

y what they were thinking

to go into the woods and take S

at you wan

two classes. The moment I closed the locker, I almost screamed. Zach sto

he want

Bernice Jenni

snapped, hol

eyes slightly. Then, out of nowhere, he said, "

mocking me? I couldn't tell,

to you?" I

ses, how do you even kn

did I stop wearing them? Without

verything I saw looke

, then turned my shoe sole and

o I feel so

to bending a metal spoon,

e to mysel

appening to me. And I

gone. Thank God. I hope he stays out of my life fore

y seat next to me. That was where Sara used to sit. On mornings like

again. God... I

inder: vanilla, with a hint of iris and peony

e's s

ng in the doorway. When our eyes met, she walked in, her l

es she

feeling better. Sorry abo

wasn't buying it. If she cared, she would've visited me

cause of her, my life

asked, pulling me

been

she repeated, but it sounded

'" I glared at her. "Or have you alre

did

gh, echoed by her p

le was cool. Now I'm just disguste

throat and leaned closer, her voice softer

you 'asked' me for something, my be

she gave a small smile. "It's no big deal, really. I just don

es? What are you

ou gave to the police. My family got dragged into it,

else was I supposed to say? That S

now I have a future, and I'd really appreciate it if you didn't me

clenched

u. I don't want another tragedy like your frien

rea

e better left in peace, righ

hat, Maggie and

Was it a threat? If I stuc

not this time. This time, I could feel my anger b

ah, I was going after the

ted her in the hallway. As she spun aro

tch!" I

shock. But I wasn't do

et under! The least you could do is show some damn compassion!" I pointed at her. "Sara and

not caring what Maggie th

slap. Honestly,

scent hit me. I turned to Sa

ere, the same inten

. "Why are you sitt

old stare pierced me as if he had

After class. I

about

ing imp

ut, leaving me with

ere he was, Zach, waiting in the hallway, l

n the two of us. I ignored the

u want to t

lked out of the school building into a quie

you tell me now? I don't hav

was racing. And then the memory of the woods cam

e said firmly. "Didn't I

what

our emotions and behavior, or

ll did I do?

that? You went too f

She got Sa

kill your friend.

stop. He kept coming until I was pinned against the wall. Heat r

ke the most of it. Your friend didn't. But that

re saying I should have

reath hitting my face. "I'm saying that both of you shoul

urned with

h

say such a