Chapter 3
I tried to explain.]]
During one group project in our English class, things got really awkward.[]
When the teacher told us to form groups, the whole classroom went weird.]]
Everyone else was pairing up, chatting about who they wanted to work with.]
And then there was me. Standing alone like I had some contagious disease.
Nobody wanted to be in my group.[]
I looked around, hoping for just ONE friendly face.]
Nothing.
Some people pretended to check their phones.[]
Others suddenly found the window SUPER interesting.
A few just closed their eyes and pretended to sleep.]
I worked up the courage to walk over to this girl who seemed nice enough.]
“Hey, can I join your group?“]]
She looked up, eyes all shifty. “Sorry, we’re full.“]]
I counted. There were only three of them.]
“I’m a good student–I was third in our major last semester.“]
Trying to prove I was worth having around.[]
This guy next to them just laughed. “So what if The Leech gets good grades? Dylan probably does all her work anyway.“]
“Yeah, he’s probably taking her tests too.”
“Right? No way she’s actually that smart.“]]
Everyone started nodding like they’d cracked some big mystery.]]
“I don’t cheat!” I snapped, my voice getting louder. “I pay my own tuition with my job money, and my living expenses–“[]
“Oh please.” Some girl cut me off and rolled her eyes. “Nobody’s buying that.“]
“Stop acting all innocent. We all know what you really are.“]]
Chapter 3
That’s when Madison’s sweet voice cut through the noise.]]
She’d appeared out of nowhere, wearing this perfectly fake sympathetic expression.[]
“Come on guys, don’t be so mean to Avery. She’s just… doing what she has to do.”
She paused, this nasty little smirk creeping across her face.
“I mean, not everyone has the skills to get Dylan to take care of them for so long.“]
“That takes talent, right?“]
The whole class burst out laughing.[]
Like they were stabbing me with every sound.[]
My face was on FIRE. I wanted to disappear into the floor.]
My palms were dripping sweat, nails cutting into my skin but I couldn’t even feel it.]
Finally the teacher had enough. “Avery, just join group three.“]
You should’ve seen their faces drop.]
But they couldn’t exactly say no to the teacher.]
During the whole project, they acted like I didn’t exist.[]
Every suggestion I made got completely ignored.[]
“What if we approach it from this angle-“]
They kept talking like I hadn’t said a word.]
The research I’d done? Totally useless.
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Chapter 3
Like I was invisible.]
No, worse than invisible.[
I was a disgusting leech.[]
Like something they wished would just disappear.[]
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“I found some sources that might help–“[
They didn’t even glance at my papers, just pushed them aside.[]
I tried joining the conversation, but they cut me off every time.[]
“We already decided.“[]
“We don’t need your input.“]
“Just sit there and stay quiet.“[]
Finally, I gave up.
Just sat there watching them get all excited about their ideas.]]
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