“Molly, wait!” I called after her, pain and dread knotting my stomach. “Let me just -”

“No. I’m fine, Daryl. Promise.” But the fake smile she plastered on her face told me she was lying.

“Just wait!” I tried one last time.

But she didn’t wait.

Instead, she turned on her heels and raced inside the girls' bathroom, leaving me alone and reeling in the aftermath.

18 Molly

I wanted to lay with my feelings and let the world wash over my head.

I wanted to stop the world and let myself off.

I couldn't catch a freaking break.

Slipping into the bathroom, I made a beeline for the stalls, not stopping until I was sitting on top of a closed toilet lid in one of the cubicles.

With my head in my hands, I tried to pull myself together. I knew tears had no place at school.

Tears of a teenage outcast were like droplets of blood, and this school was a shark tank. Great whites were all around me, waiting on the moment I became vulnerable and exposed so they could pick me apart and tear me to pieces.

Just like they already had.

Girl on Fire.

I didn’t do anything wrong.

I was just trying to live my life.

I didn’t ask for any of this.

A pained sob escaped me and I slapped a hand over my mouth, willing myself to be a stronger person.

You can get through this.

You will get through this.

In five years' time, these people will be a blip on your radar.

I wanted to close my eyes and transport back to my youth – back to my mother's arms. Loneliness took ahold of a person. It gripped you tight in its chains and refused to let go. I was lonely and desperate for it all to just stop.

"Do you mind?" a girl demanded from somewhere outside of my stall.

"Yeah, this bathroom is closed," a familiar voice said.

"Excuse me?"

"Get the fuck out, red," Daryl snapped, and then the sound of the bathroom door slamming shut filled my ears. "Find somewhere else to take a leak."

"Daryl!"

"I know you're angry," he began to say. "Believe me, I'm mad enough for the both of us. Hell, I'm so fucking pissed I can taste it. But you can't not be my friend because of a bunch of jealous bitches, Molls."

"Oh my god, are you serious? What are you even talking about?" I sniffled. "Get the hell out of here, D."

"I can't," he called back. "I can't lose you twice."

I rolled my eyes. "Stop being so dramatic."

"I'm being serious." His voice was closer now. "Look up."

I did and screamed when I saw his face looking down at me from the top of the cubicle. "I could've been peeing in here."

"So?" He shrugged. "It ain't like I've never seen you pee before, Molls."

"When I was three, douche," I growled. "Ugh." Shaking my head, I stood up and unlocked the door before stepping out. "Whatever."