The stares feel like they are piercing through me as my breathing picks up. I begin to pick at my skin until it starts to bleed, this has become an unhealthy way I try and distract myself. I quickly ask to leave the room, as I'm leaving, I feel like I'm going to throw up. Luckily, I made it to the bathroom in record time and to my luck its empty. I head for the very last stall and finally throw up, though there was nothing but stomach acid since I had not eaten breakfast or dinner the night before.

I was probably in there for a good 15 minutes just trying to control my breathing. I finally decide to make my way back to the classroom. As I walk in, I keep my head down. It felt like the walk to my seat was so far but, it is only like 18 feet from the door. Finally making it to my desk I put my head down making sure to keep my breathing controlled. I hear Mrs. Garcia announce that we are to use the rest of the period to meet up with our partner to discuss what we are doing for the project. As people moved to find their partners, I did not know what to do, so I decided to wait in my seat.

I hear footsteps approach my desk. I slowly lift my head to see a boy slightly taller than me, with light brown hair and green eyes pulling a chair up to my desk.

“Your River, right?” I hear him ask me.

“Yes” I quietly respond.

Out of the corner of my eye I can see his friends looking at us.

“So, what are we going to do for our project” Dustin asks me.

I was zoned out and did not realize he was talking to me I did not responded. When I finally hear him calling my name, I felt a rush of embarrassment come over me, which causes me to blush. Dustin realizes this and laughs, though the other kids don’t find this funny as they give me dirty looks. I can already tell what they are thinking. “River must like him.” or “I feel bad that Dustin has to work with him.”

As I'm gathering my thoughts, I look up to see a rather concerned look on Dustin's face. When I finally he was staring out I panicked and covered my arm with my hand. Just my luck the day I badly pick at my skin I had to wear a white shirt; I really should have done laundry. Dustin realizing how uncomfortable I look decides to ask the teacher to work in the hall. To my luck she lets us, as quick as she agreed I had Dustin pulling me out of the room.