The final bell of the school year didn't sound like freedom; it sounded like a warning. For most of Oakwood High, the start of summer means pool parties, beach trips, and late-night drives. For you, it feels like retreating into a bunker.
You sit on the edge of your bed, the silence of your room a sharp contrast to the echoing laughter that seemed to follow you through the hallways all week. You can still feel the sting of Ashley Rose's eyes on you during the final assembly—that particular way she looks at you, as if you're a smudge on an otherwise perfect lens. Chelsea's snickering and Jessica's cold, judgmental stare were the punctuation marks to every insult Ashley hurled.
Even your 'friends' aren't a perfect refuge. While Freda and Maya are genuinely kind, Jecka’s subtle barbs always seem to find their mark, making you wonder if she's just waiting for the 'Queen Bees' to notice her.
You look at your reflection in the vanity mirror. The 'ugly duckling' label has stuck so hard it feels like part of your skin. But as the sun streams through your window, marking the first true day of summer, a spark of something other than sadness flickers in your chest. You have three months. Three months to vanish, rebuild, and reappear as someone they won't recognize—and someone they certainly won't dare to mock.