When She Cries

Poetry

I sat in the far back corner of the classroom, my hoodie over my head as I sketched in the right bottom corner of the page of my agenda book. As I glanced the room I saw the new girl sitting at the far end corner on the other side of the room. Her head hanging down as she heard silent whispers behind her roaming the classroom.

I continued to sketch as the teacher continued to talk endlessly, none of which I understood.

I plugged in my headphones and turned up all the volume, turning all the whispers and talking into muffled sound.

I continued drawing but was interrupted the Ms.Lake, pulling down my headphones.

I looked up at her, pulling down my hood down and blowing air at my bangs.
She stretched out her hand. I handed them to her annoyed and she gave me a pleased look. Quiet snickering filled the room, making me let out a small groan. She placed them in her desk drawer and began to pass back the papers that were in a large stacked pile on her desk.

The bell rang I began to gather my things as an ocean of kids flooded out the door. I turned around as at the sound of the teachers voice,"Ania, come here please," She said motioning me to her desk. I slumped to her desk and sat down on the chair in front of her.

She handed me the blank test sheet with a big red zero marked in the right corner by my name.
" Ania, I know you're a very smart young lady, and I know that you can do better than this.."
She took my silence as another chance to talk and resumed.
"Is there something troubling you and your studies?"

Other than the fact that I was a complete freakish misfit? Other than the fact I was a target to every bully at school? Other than the fact I had no friends or anyone talk to and understand me?

I sighed,"No, I'm fine."I lied.

She nodded and handed me a sheet of paper with the words poetry competition in bold.

"There is a state poetry competition coming up and I thought you might be interested..a chance to show your talent and be noticed."

I took the sheet and crumpeled it putting it into the right pocket of my book bag.
"Thanks, I'll think about it."
I said, barely loud enough to here.

As I got up and reached the exit, I was again stopped by the sound of her voice,"You might need these." She said tossing me my headphones.