The Pain of a Middle Child

II

My day started as normal as ever. I woke up, ate breakfast, got dressed, then went to school.

My school wasn't different from the other schools, just more recently built. It stood about 10 minutes from my house, just enough for me to be tardy often.

I sighed as I entered through to the gate, not looking up from my book. I changed into my gray slippers and ran up the staircases to my classroom, where my teacher welcomed me with a warm smile.

That seems to be my only bliss these days; her smile, her laugh. Nothing else seemed to be for me.

But deep inside, I think that it's because I'm the little sister of Brielle Johnson. She was the star, the smart kid, the genius. I was nothing, just the glasses-wearing little sister of Brielle. I wasn't known for anything, I was unknown.

I turned the page of my book and read it for the millionth time. Ever since mom made me break the friendship I had with Selia, I had read this book and this book only. I knew its story, characters, and everything by heart.

"Teacher, can we read books in class?" a voice disturbed me. I peeked up to see the two-faced Gabrielle with his hand up, facing our teacher.

"We can't," she answered simply and turned to the whiteboard.

"I wonder who's reading a book right now," another voice said. I didn't turn to see who's it was this time. I knew it was Haily, Gabe's one-sided-lover.

Snickers were heard around the room. I rolled my eyes and slid the book into my bag, not bothering to mark the page. I knew I could find it.

"Now, now, open your textbooks to page 293, please," she tapped the blackboard with her wooden stick. Everyone obliged, still snickering.

___

I pressed the passcode to the building and stepped inside. The elevator was already on the first floor, but I used the stairs instead to read more of my book.

" 'M back," I mumbled as I stepped through the door of our house. Emptiness greeted me since no one was home yet. I headed up to my room, pausing to feed the many fish in the small tank.

I threw my bag into a corner and myself on my bed.

My folder phone dinged, indicating that I had a new message.

You're such a clam

It dinged again.

I hope you die and go to hell

You deserve worse things, keep that in mind

I started to write down a reply.

I'm not a clam and you shou-

Ding

Oh, look, clam doesn't know how to type.

Pity, I wanted to see her response

Mad, I gave way to a suppressed groan. I was mad at myself who trusted an enemy, a fiend, a killer.

I had thought they were my friends, but I was blinded by the fact that they said they were my friends. I never had friends; not counting Selia and Jess. Jess was my only friend, but she was also friends with my attackers.

I abandoned my purple-colored folder phone and went downstairs for a snack.

A small bowl of cereal without milk was my pick of the day. I started to devour the snack while returning to my book.

The door opened. Probably, my sister, I thought, listening for her footsteps on the wooden steps.

"Hey," I muttered to her when she reached the floor I was on.

No reply. Shrugging, I continued to read the book.

And that was how my elementary life ended.

Graduation wasn't as bad as I thought since my cousin made it. She gave me a Tee and a small bouquet made of dried flowers.

I performed on stage with a quarter of the sixth-grade students who sang, played the guitar, flute, violin, recorder, and piano.

After that, we got our papers and it all came to an end. I was parting with the school I had gone to half my life for another I would go for three.

I was glad.

Maybe I could change myself, make friends.

And change myself, I did.