a's

re? Why didn't it happen at home, in my bathroo

e. I can feel the burn in my face, climb

ns away like he's trying to give

a word. But I know he i

't make a comment or act l

e my bathro

and bolt toward the door

the bathroom looked. Black marble countertops, warm golden li

the exact date down to the damn hour and I do

tranger's house, blee

ess middle schooler who got

despite the snow outside. My bangs sti

ues with me. I bit into my fingernail,

ing in the same spot, trying not t

t's Jason

swer fast enough before he as

nutes before coming to check up on me? Anyway,

st ask for some help. "I cou

t asking. Then I hear him laugh. "There's

pen the door and snatch the bag. Inside is Pads, a fresh pa

t to think about how or

jeans in the sink and h

putting on the shirt, it fa

n. "You can survive this." With a deep br

His eyes lift and land on me. Then slowly drops, taking in the jersey and my legs a

stand? "I... are you..." He scra

in a small voi

ties. But I decide against it. It's a good thing he

ing I didn't just live through the most

. It doesn't help that he's staring at me and even though he isn't

el m

to embarrass you every time

h

d gone past t

point at the book on the d

"But I want to talk

urge to gl

ad somewhere that know-it-all girls get heavy flo

int. I squint my eyes at Jason, unsu

one person this second and an utter

nutes ago couldn't be this..

ring out my watch and I se

f he decides to waste the time by stalling me and

he tests? Did yo

azily before dumping

e half productive. I'll get to know how ba

t to be k

page, and the next, and the next and a permanent

he words leave my mou

the desk. "You didn't even try. Everything's empty..." I wa

s boy? The one his mum claimed was reserved

o do this." I start, " And

. I am not a malf

you," I say, and I take my bag and start packing my things. To my s

l's daughter doesn't mak

"What's that su

The other girls who want me but can never have a

er my shoulder and walk to the door. By the time I'

r

jea

urse myself. I can't walk out like this. Not in the freezing snow. Not through

go and get

just go back, head straight for th

g?" He asks when

jeans,"

e bloody jean

n..." I warn even tho

cute running off in my jersey. You know... You were totally kill

a, very funny,

xt time? The girl with the pink hair? She's a whole l

d I have been best friends. Hell, I don't expect the tightness in my chest that com

ntrol. And here I am, acting like a coward. A damn cow

tupid per