The next few periods are normal until 3rd period. I have history with Ms. Schorr. I don't particularly like her as she's very old fashioned and tends to make mountains out of molehills. I walk into her class and take my place at the back. Once the bell rings, she begins attendance, looking up to see if the person raises their hand and is sitting where they're supposed to. She goes through everyone except me, but I expect to come last as my last name, Vida, is towards the end of the alphabet. But my name doesn't come. She puts down the roster and begins class. I want to make sure I'm not marked absent, as my stepdad would kill me for another absence this semester.

I raise my hand and say, "Excuse me, I don't think you called me, ma'am".

Everyone turns to face me and Ms. Schorr turns away from the whiteboard. She squints at me and then her face hardens.

"Who are you?" she asks angrily.

I'm stunned. "Ainsley... Ainsley Vida?"

"You're not in my class, Ainsley," she says, emphasizing my name.

"But I-"

"Is this a prank?" she screeches. "Do you think it's funny to walk into someone's class that isn't your own and the interrupt said class?"

"No, no look at the attendance! My name will be on there" I insist.

Taking her eyes off me, she picks up the attendance sheet.

"Vida, Vida", she murmurs, eyes scanning the list and resting at the bottom. "No Ainsley Vida here!" she states, almost triumphantly.

"What? Let me see!" I march to the front and grab the paper angrily, eliciting giggles from several members of the class. I inwardly roll my eyes, but then scan the list. No Vida. She must have the wrong sheet, it must be a mistake, I'm thinking. Everyone else's names in my history class are there. Josiah Davis, sitting in the front. Samira Dhar, two seats to the right of me. But no Ainsley Vida, clear as day. Ms. Schorr purses her lips.

"See? Very funny joke. Now, get out, and go to the principal!" she yells.

"Fat chance" I mutter, anger bubbling inside me like a 3rd graders' science fair volcano, and stalk out. I can feel the classes eyes following me.

I spend the rest of the class period in the girls' restroom.