The bell rang and I wiped the tears off of my face and got up. BREATHE. I screamed the words on repeat in my head. A broken record. A loop. I shut my eyes, took a deep calming breath and opened the stall door then walked out and to the bathroom mirror, it was obvious that I was crying. I shut my eyes and took another deep breath. I decided after a few moments to walk out of the bathroom and to follow the hord of students down the hall. I ignored their chatter like always. I followed them up the stairs and down another hall and I was standing in front of my science class. People passed me, not even knowing I existed. I'm a ghost. Maybe no one will notice that I was being a cry baby. Hopefully. I shook my head and walked into the science class room.

Like always, I chose a seat in the back of the rows and tried to be as invisible as possible. Then it felt like I got hit in the chest by a bat. Her. I groaned at the thought of her. Erica walked in and she noticed me. Erica gave me a smile and sat next to me. I tried to be invisible but it didn't work. I wish it worked. Where were my ghostly powers when I needed them? This wasn't fair. Can I just reverse time? Stay in the bathroom and deal with skipping class later. I wish I could.

"Hey." Erica said in a whisper. "I'm sorry about how I acted. Jared set me straight. It won't happen again, I promise." She gave me a warm smile. Was this a joke? Was I being played? Pranked? Where were the cameras? Where are the zombies with their phones pointed at me and them hitting "record"?

I gave her a fake smile back and said "apology accepted" even though it was a lie. My mother always told me when someone apologizes to never say "it's alright or it's okay." Because it seems like what they did was okay for them to do and that they can do it again, so I always say apology accepted.

I didn't want to say anymore to her so I got out a paper and a pen and started drawing cats on the paper, Erica was being snoopy and was watching me draw and she would add in little comments like "you draw nice." And "I wish I had your talent." "Can you draw me sometime?" Here and there as I drew but I ignored her and kept drawing.

While I was drawing I was wondering what Erica meant by "Jared set me straight." What did he say to her? Did I really want to know? I still didn't read that note he threw at me. Should I even read it? I pulled it out of my pocket and stared at it then I shook my head. He wanted me to read it but I didn't have the courage to read the words. Would he be calling me names in it, because of this morning or were they kind works because of how he acted in the lunch room? I wanted to look but couldn't. I put the note back into my pocket and continued to draw as the teacher lectured the class. The bell rang and everyone stood up and walked out of the class. I was behind them and Erica was next to me. I groaned in my head and rolled my eyes as I looked away from her.

"Uh what's you're name?" Erica asked me as we walked down the hall. I wanted to groan out load so she would know what I didn't want her talking to me but I kept it in and acted interested in talking to her.

"I don't feel comfortable with telling you that." I said and looked around. I tried to mentally prepare myself for her cussing me out.

"It's fine if you don't wanna tell me. I understand that. I was really rude to you. It's just Jared really likes you, you know?" She said and smiled.

"He doesn't even know me." I said and rolled my eyes.

"He wants to get to know you." She said then chuckled, "talk to him. He's a really great guy."

"I'll think about it." I said and looked away from her and continued, "uhm, my name." I said and looked at her.

"Yes?" She said eagerly.

"My name is J--Jessi." I said hesitantly.

"I think Jessi is a really cute name. I'm sure Jared will love it. Thank you for telling me." She said with a smile. A freshman interrupted us and I felt like I wanted to hug him. He got her attention even just for a few moments.

"Hey Erica." A freshman said as he came to walk next to us. He seemed to have a crush on her.

"Piss off fresh meat. I don't have time to waste on you, plus I'm in the middle of talking to my friend here." She hissed in an annoyed snobby tone and he stopped walking, you could see the hurt in his eyes and turned around then walked the other way. I wanted to tell her off but my anxiety stopped me. Anxiety always seems to win, unless I snap or black out.

Erica was the typical tv show or movie cheerleader. Blonde hair- possibly curled with a hair curler or something like that- clear skin, flawless makeup, lips gloss- possibly cherry flavor, perky, and perfect white teeth. I think she tanned. Possibly. She's snobby as hell. She's nothing like Emily that's for sure. She started slowing her pace and then stopped completely in front of her next class and the turned to face me completely.

"Well, Jessi, I'll see you later." She said with a smile and as looked at her blankly. I hope not, I thought to myself. I didn't say anything and she turned around and walked into her class, she didn't even seem to care that I didn't say anything else to her.