Ellis woke up to a bright sunny day in May, the birds singing and the skies a pale blue. She sat up in her bed, wishing she were still asleep. She didn’t want to go to school. She didn’t want to do anything. She wanted to lay there. Jumping out of her bed, she walked to her mirror, and looked at the conspicuous bloody scabs on her face. Blood clotted on her face, and she had a black eye that stuck out against her pale skin. Breathing out, she climbed the stairs to her kitchen, where she got breakfast. Grabbing a bowl and a box of cereal, she poured herself some food and sat down. She ate her cereal , her spoon clinking against the bowl. Her foot tapped under the table. Those moments seemed to drag on. Seconds felt like minutes, minutes felt like hours. Her fingers drummed anxiously on the table. She took time to enjoy the momentary silence that came with her being alone.

Soon the bus came, and she grabbed her backpack and ran to catch the bus. She walked slowly to her seat, and sat with her knees pulled up to her chest, her heart pounding . The seat warmed her legs, and a bright sun shone through her window. She squinted her eyes. She dug into her bag and pulled out a large book that she opened and began to read the book. The bus came to a screeching halt, and Ellis put away her book and climbed out of the bus, and walked towards the school. She touched the brick columns as she went into the school.

When she got to her locker - #127- The familiar face was waiting for her. Mika. Over the years, Ellis had become submissive to Mika. She turned on her heel and ran all the way down the hallway, until she reached the back door. She pushed frantically at it, but it was locked. When she turned around Mika was hovering over her, his dark brown eyes piercing her skin like daggers. His elbow pinned her against the door and his fist was raised above her. Mika stopped throwing insults at Ellis. In fact, he rarely even talked to her. He brought it down on her face, and after a few more hits Ellis clattered to the ground like a ragdoll. Her vision swam until she saw stars swirling above her head.

Ellis opened her eyes to realize that she was laying on a cot in the nurse’s office. When she sat up a sharp pain echoed in her shoulder. The nurse bent over her.

“You’re awake.” She said. Ellis groaned.

“What happened?” Ellis asked “I don’t remember.”

“Somebody found you passed out at the back door.” The nurse, Sara said “What do you remember? Who did this to you? What happened?” Ellis shrugged.

“I think it was Mika again. God knows what he’s going to do next.” Sara shook her head.

“You need some help with that kid.” She said. “This is getting out of hand. You’ve been down here 4 times, and that’s only this week.” Ellis nodded and went back to class. Ellis didn't see Mika anymore that day. When the bell rang and school let out, Ellis didn’t go to her locker. Instead she went straight to the bus, not wanting to have another run in. She sat down on one of the warm bus seats, relieved that the day was finally over. When she got home, She flopped down on her bed, staring above at the ceiling. Sighing she grabbed her book and opened it. She began to read. The hours went by and she got lost in the book, until she realized it was dark out. Her dad wouldn't be home until 10. Despite the fact she hadn't eaten since lunch, Ellis wasn't hungry. What she was, however was tired from her long day. She looked out her glass window, and saw a shooting star soar across the sky, a trail behind it. She fixated on the star, and said under her breath

"I wish Mika would die." She pulled her blinds shut over her window, and set her alarm. Her dad wouldn't be able to wake her up in the morning, as he would have already departed for work. She closed her eyes and fell into a deep and dreamless sleep.