She's A Badass (#Wattys2024)

Hi, I'm Britney. And if there's one thing you need to know about me, it's that I don't forgive easily.

Walking through the sea of students, I catch glimpses of familiar faces. Among them is DAVE (17), a somewhat awkward teenager with a backpack slung over his shoulder. There's a subtle tension between Dave and me as we pass each other, a silent acknowledgment of our complicated history.

Especially when it comes to Dave Lizewski.

A younger me sits at her desk, focused on a math test. In the background, my best friend, chatting with Kristen the popular girl, and her clique.

It all started in middle school when Dave pulled that stunt with Kristen.

Kristen accused Mia of throwing , pencil at her. Mia denies it vehemently, but Kristen's words carry weight among their peers.

Dave threw that pencil, not Mia. But he didn't have the guts to own up to it.

Mia got verbally and physically attacked by Kristen and her cronies.

I was in another classroom that day, too busy with a stupid math test to defend my friend. But I'll never forget what Dave did.

I disappear around the corner, and my grudge against Dave remains a silent but palpable presence in the halls of the high school.