All to Myself

Just when I thought it was getting easier, my life suddenly took a turn for the worst.

I looked at my watch, and saw that there was only 20 minutes of class left. If I didn't finish my painting soon, I'd have to stay after school and work on it. Not that I minded so much...art was my favorite class, and it was also my best. I liked to take my time on each one of my projects, and every little detail had to be perfect.

I squirted some black paint onto my pallet, and dipped my brush into it, carefully painting the outline of an eye on my paper. It was going to be a self portrait, and so far, I was satisfied. It was coming out great.

Then I felt someone breathing over my shoulder. 

"Wow...that looks amazing Jordan!" exclaimed the loud voice of Autumn Parsons.

Autumn was perky. But not the good kind of perky. The kind of perky that makes you want to jump out of a window. She was annoying and rude, but for some reason everybody else adored her.

"Thanks." I mumbled, pushing my dark hair out of my face. No matter how many times she complimented me, I still didn't like her. 

"Hey Jordan...if you don't mind me asking, what are those scars on your wrist from?" she asked, pointing to the red scratches poking out from under my rolled-up sleeves.

My face turned red immediately. I never thought about what I would say to someone if they ever noticed my self harm. I quickly searched my head for an answer.

"Oh, um, my cat, she scratched me."

Autumn sneered, and I could tell she didn't believe my excuse. This was her perfect chance to humiliate me in front of everyone else in the room, and she took it.

"You didn't CUT yourself, did you?" she announced, grabbing my arm and rolling up the sleeves more to expose the scars. The other kids in the class were all looking at me, and I heard some boys snickering from the back of the room.

I pulled my arm away quickly, and stood up from my desk to face her. I wanted to ask her why she felt the need to do that, or why she hated me so much. But the words wouldn't come out. I felt tears welling up in my eyes, and I couldn't stand to look at Autumn smirking like she was so much smarter than me.

Then I did something I never thought I would do in a million years. I slapped her in the face, and I ran from the classroom.

That's how I ended up in the guidance counselor's office.