their way past me, laughing the entire way out. As soon as I know I am safely alone, I run to the mirror and look up. Sure enough, blue gum is sticking to my blond hair and it looks like it’s really embedded.
The tears begin to spill down my cheeks unforgivingly. I can’t hold it in any longer. I mind my own business. I don’t talk to anyone. I know I don’t deserve this. Soon, I am crying so hard, I can barely see out of my watered down eyes. My sides hurt from how twisted up my stomach feels.
I hear the bathroom door open and I panic. I don’t want anyone to see me this way. I think about racing into a stall, but I’m not fast enough and I notice one of the girls from the A-Team standing there, staring at me. What happens next is something I am not expecting in the least.
“Are you okay?” she asks, genuine concern spilling off her voice.
Although I never look people in the eyes, I can’t help but wonder if she is being sincere or playing a trick on me…so curiosity gets the better of me. I shoot a quick glance at her face before letting my eyes fall back to the floor. It’s Madalynne Johnson. She’s been a part of the A-Team her entire life, but I’ve never had any classes with her or even any encounters. She’s a year younger than me, a junior. The most I really know about her is she is dating Parker Grant and has been for years. They make a ridiculously cute couple and are always making people jealous wherever they go.
I shrug not knowing how else to respond. It’s already obvious enough that I am not doing well.
She takes a few hesitant steps toward me. I can see her hands reach up to my hair and I flinch out of habit.
She pulls her hands back quickly. “Did someone do this to you?”
I nod without bothering to say a word. Apparently they already think I’m slow. Best if I live up to their expectations.
“Those asshats,” she remarks.
I’ve never spoken a single word to her in my life and I’m beginning to realize maybe I was wrong to classify her in the same group as the other jocks who torment me.
“Come here,” her voice is quiet and gentle. “Let me help.”
My foot moves instinctively and before I can stop myself, I’ve closed the distance between us.
I can feel her hands in my hair and then pulling. I wonder how much hair I am bound to lose from Alyssa’s ridiculous stunt.
“Sorry, I’m sorry,” Madalynne whispers as she notices me wince every few moments from the pain. “Can I ask you something?”
I shrug.
“Who did this to you?”
Your friends? “It doesn’t matter.”
I watch as her body tenses up and then she lifts my chin with her fingers so that I am looking her in the eyes. I haven’t looked an A-Team member in the eye in years. The feeling is foreign and uncomfortable for me. Her brown eyes are kind and genuine and it makes me wonder why I’ve been so scared to do so in the first place.
“What’s your name?” she asks.
“Ciera,” I answer in a small voice.
“Madalynne.” She sticks out her hand for me to shake.
“I know,” I reply, instinctively.
This seems to surprise her. “Oh,” she says, almost embarrassed. “Well Ciera, whoever did this to you are cowards. They pick on you because they are unhappy in their own life.”
I take a deep breath, nodding slightly.
She returns to her attempt at freeing my hair from Alyssa’s gum.
I take a moment to look her over, without feeling threatened or guilty. She has long brown hair and a gentle demeanor. She is definitely naturally pretty and I can see why Parker likes her.
“So I have good news and bad news…what do you want to hear first?”
I look into her chestnut eyes and she looks conflicted. “I don’t know…you choose.”
Her lips pull into a small smile. “The good news is I was able to get most of it out…”
“And the bad news?” I choke