I swear those girls LOVE to start drama. When the drama they deal with ends, they have to be in more. It irritates me so much! But I think they’re trying to get me into their drama. They’ve started rumors about me. That I live in the dumpster, I stay after school to steal the cafeteria food, etc. And a lot of people are starting to believe it! But what I'm proud of is that some people mind their own business. So, I'm not the only simple kid here.

The class started and another new girl came. She was also one of us simple folks. Her name was Eliana Smith. She had such nice, natural hair, she wore no makeup, and as always, brought books to study on. There was an open spot next to me, and I invited her over to the seat. She smiled and sat down. “Hi!” I started. “Your name is so pretty.”

“Thanks..” she replied with a shy voice. “What's your name?”

“Heart Marie.”

“That's such a pretty name. I wish my name was like that.”

“Not really.” We started giggling.

“You dead rats need to shut up,” said Valentina. “Y’all aren't cool like us.”

“It doesn't mean you jump into our business,” I said.

“You dare challenge us?” Harley butted in.

“You don't want to mess with us at all,” Naomi spat.

“She just said that, Nae.” Everly scolded.

“Girls,” Mrs. Sanchez said. “Please get back to your seats.” So the girls went back to their seats. Eliana looked at me with a scared look on her face. “What's wrong?” I asked.

“I don't even know how you can stand up to them.”

“I'm raised to not care about how I look.”

“Me too.” She smiled and went back to work.

“We should hang out sometime?” I asked. And she agreed with a nod.