Just As I Am

Eighteen

"Karen, my office. Now!", my boss said angrily.

I quickly put the broom down and followed him into his office. I stood until he told me to take a seat across from him. He looked serious. I crossed my fingers, hoping for the best.

"Karen. I've noticed you have been slacking off lately. I employed you because you are a very hardworking person. I've noticed a change in your attitude and for this reason, you're fired", my boss said, going straight to the point.

"I...I promise to do better if you can just give me another chance", I pleaded, knowing I couldn't lose this job.

"Karen, I'm sorry. I've given you enough chances", my boss told me.

"I totally understand", I understand, getting up to leave.

I slowly handed my uniform to my boss before heading towards my car.

Looking at the freshly-made cuts on my arms, I couldn't understand what I had done to deserve all this. Just when everything goes on well in my life then disaster strikes. Just when everything was going on well in my life, my mum died. Just when I thought we wouldn't move, we moved.

Just when I thought I had made new friends, they turned behind my back. Just when I thought that finally my relationship with Dad was getting better, we had an argument. Just when I was actually enjoying my job, I got fired.

Okay, I brought that on myself but I didn't deserve the other things that had happened to me. It isn't fair! Looking back now, I see how stupid I had been. I didn't get caught, of course but the owner of the shop became suspicious and security became tighter. A similar thing happened with Dad.

I thought because I could steal, I didn't need a job so I slacked off. I didn't imagine any of these things happening to me. Now I have to look for a new job and I know that it will be nothing compared to the job I had.

Shoving, pushing and pulling is what I experienced daily at school. Paula said she could help me and that she had been bullied before but did I actually want her help? No. I didn't need or want anyone's help. I kept quiet about it. It's not like anyone noticed . No one cared.

I had tried fighting back but Melissa was much, much stronger than me. It became worse everyday and I constantly tried to cover up the bruises that were appearing on my body everyday. It started with Melissa and her clique just pushing and teasing me but now they are becoming more and more vicious. Hittings and beatings were becoming more frequent everyday.

I was just getting my books out of my locker when Melissa and her clique passed by. I rolled my eyes. She stepped in front of my locker.

"Hello, Karen", Melissa said in a fake sweet voice.

"Please make it quick. I'm really busy today", I said, crossing my arms across my chest.

"I've just noticed how you've grown so fat and just look at your clothes! Aren't they too tight? I just wanted to give my opinion. You're becoming fat, Karen. It's not healthy", Melissa gave me a short lecture.

"Since when did you care about my health, Melissa? And for your information, I don't need your opinion".

"I think you need my opinion, Karen, You're even lucky that I gave you advice! Not many people get advice from me. You're such an ungrateful little brat!" Melissa said but not before pushing me.

I fell to the floor and quickly got up. I was just lucky she didn't do anything worse to me.