It’s not an option to refuse. That’s the only reason I nod stiffly and follow her down the hallway

As told to Rochel Samet

"How’d you find the quiz?” Shana asks me after math class.

My stomach turns. “Ugh. It was awful. I hardly studied.”

“Yeah, I tried calling you last night,” Shana says in an offhanded voice. I know my best friend — she’s offended. But honestly, between collapsing for two hours after walking home and being bullied by Henny into cleaning up, and then spending half the night on the floor crying from dizziness and pain in random parts of my body, I just didn’t have the time or energy for algebraic fractions.

“Sorry,” I say. “I wasn’t feeling great…”

“Whatever,” she shrugs. “I studied with Mimi and Eliana, it’s fine.”

But it’s not. Nothing is.

The bell rings.

Shana jumps up. I stay seated, too exhausted to move. I rest my head on my hands and decide to sleep through this period. If I’m quiet enough, Miss Halb will probably leave me alone.

*****

I actually feel almost refreshed at the end of the lesson. Art comes next, yay.

This time, when the bell shrills out and we are dismissed, I’m the first to move. I grab my art stuff and head out of the room.

“Libby?” Miss Halb steps out from the doorway. Probably waiting in ambush. “I’m so glad I caught you. Can I have a word…?”

It’s not an option to refuse. That’s the only reason I nod stiffly and follow her down the hallway.