***
Today was okay. School wasn't too grand, but the girl spoke to me. We spoke nicely to each other. No hostile remarks.

"How are you?" She'd asked.

"Okay, you?" I had replied.

She only giggled.

"Why do people hate you?"

The question surprised me.

"What do you mean?..."

"I saw them glaring at you in the halls. Plus, I heard them whispering bad things about you..."

We looked at each other. The conversation ended there.

We sat in a quiet, respectful silence.
***