The blood glistens on my arm, it's warm sticky feeling reminding me that I can't just disappear.
I put down the small blade, looking at my red arm, the scars on the other one.
"Petra?" I heard Jesse's voice, crystal clear through my cloudy thoughts. "Are you in there?"
I didn't answer.
"Petra..." Sighed Jesse, from through the door. "I know you're in there. You need to get out."
I stayed in silence, knowing that Jesse was still outside.
It seemed like forever before I heard a response.
"Stay in there if you want, Petra. I don't know why you're hiding, but if at any point you want to come with us to town- you can just come."
I heard Jesse walking away, and then nothing.
The blood had fallen all the way around my arm- staining my skin dark red.
I felt tears start to stream down my face, and I squeezed my eyes shut, my breathing fast and shallow.
I turned on the water, rinsing off the blood.
I pulled my arm out of the stream, dark red blood seeping out through the cuts.
I remember their voices.

"Isn't she a lesbian?"
"Yeah. It's obvious- even though she hasn't come out yet."

"She's in the order?"
"Jesse probably just kept her around because she felt sorry for her. Which I don't see why."

"No guy would want to date you. After all- it's not like you would actually want a guy."

Their voices torment me, the hateful remarks cutting my heart.

"She dropped out?!"
"Probably because she's retarded."

More tears fall down my face, dripping onto my lap.
I turn on the water again, washing the cuts.
I put on my arm warmers, walking out of the bathroom.

...

I stormed out of the Hub, the glass doors shutting behind me.
I wiped my emotions off my face, walking into the cold winter air.
My feet tapped on the stone road, their rhythmic patterns annoying me slightly.

"Why do you act like that? I mean, you SAY you're straight..."

"You're ugly."

"Not going to do something with that resting bitch face?"

Tears gather in my eyes, and I walk faster.

"Aww, what's the mater? I thought that boys didn't cry."

I kept walking, quickening my pace even more.

When suddenly-

"Hey! Watch where you're going!" Snarled the girl who I had just ran into.

I looked at her- she had very short blue hair, just barely peeking out from underneath her black hat. She was wearing black boots and blue jeans, with a black band T-shirt.

"S-sorry..." I muttered, pushing my way past her.

"W-wait!" Cried the girl, catching up to me. "I... I didn't mean to be so rude... Are you crying?"

I brushed the tears off my face.

"Why were you crying?!"

"It's complicated."

"It is not! You can tell me!"

"I don't even know you." I growled, quickening my pace again.

"Okay...just... See you around..."

That was weird.

Who was that girl?

Whatever... I don't care...

...

I walked the rest of my way to my small treehouse in silence, finally seeing the soft glow of the lamp inside it.
I climb up the ladder, opening the trapdoor.
Closing it behind me, I drop my pick axe on the floor, walking to my bed.

I climbed in it, not bothering to change my clothes.

Why does everybody hate me?

How is everybody fine- except for me?

I'm okay.

I'm fine.

I'm hurting.

I'm falling apart.