in memory of

ii. mrs grey

in memory of susanna

i taught you for three years running, and i swear to god you never put your hand up once. i knew how clever you were, i could see that from the look in your eyes and of course your exam results. you were never afraid to write what you thought, but you never seemed to speak. i think you know more than anyone that being clever comes with a price; the knowledge that the world is unfair. 

you had friends, they just weren't in my class. i saw you around school with them sometimes; it was the only time i ever heard you laugh. apparently they weren't enough to help you, though. 

if i had noticed, maybe you would have talked to me. opened up. i could have helped you. 

i'm sorry i let you down, susanna. 

did you even like the name susanna? or did you prefer susie? i never asked. you never said.