Did She Actually Just Say That?

Best Story in Apr, 2021 ; By A.Z.

I walked down the school hall, flanked by my two best friends, Annabelle and Camille, shoving whoever was in my way. Everyone cowered under my gaze. I stopped, looking down at a small girl blocking my way. I studied her carefully with a hard stare. Her fists were balled and she was looking down at her shoes. I scoffed and smirked. Who does she think she is, standing in my way? She must be a transfer. 

           “Hey, who do you think you are? Get out of my way.” I said coldly, crossing my arms and glaring at her. Students stared. She lifted her head and met my eyes with her own fierce gaze, as if challenging me. Her action surprised me. No one has dared to oppose me before. My shock must’ve shown because instead of obeying me, she raised her fist. Before I could react, she landed a punch on my cheek, making me land on my knees. Annabelle and Camille scrambled to help me up, brushing my uniform off. I quickly recovered and shook them off with a piercing glare, my body shaking from shock and rage.

          “Who do you think you are? Maybe you should stop acting like the queen and start being nicer,” the small girl said, her voice icy, “And maybe focus more on your studies,” she added, pointing to the ground.

           "Did she actually just say that?" People gasped. Murmurs echoed in my ears. I glared daggers at the girl, then gazed in the direction of her finger. When I fell, papers from my backpack had scattered onto the ground. Unfortunately, among those scattered papers was my chemistry test, embellished with a big red F. Students standing in the hall also noticed where she was pointing and saw that wretched assessment. Annabelle and Camille exchanged concerned glances as they started to collect the fallen papers. My face flushed and embarrassment flooded through my body. I grabbed my backpack with the papers put back in and fled out of the school doors. 

          When I got home, I scrambled up the stairs straight up to my room, ignoring the calls from my mother. I sat on my bed and started screaming, crying, and yelling until I finally calmed down. Then, I started thinking. I knew I was mean and I knew that I acted arrogant sometimes, but people left me alone that way. Should I really start being nicer? Maybe it would be a nice change, I decided. Tomorrow, I will start fresh.