"No, really?"
I closed the notebook. "Yes."
She glanced at Kelsey and laughed. "She thinks we're asking because we care."
Mr. Alvarez turned from the board. "Madison, let's keep the side conversations down."
"I'm sorry," Madison said, not sounding sorry at all. "I was just trying to understand Nora's handwriting. It looks like a secret code."
"It's fine," I said.
The words came out automatically.
It's fine.
I had said them when Madison poured water over my science project. I had said them when Kelsey hid my backpack behind the gym bleachers. I had said them when they took a picture of me eating alone and posted it with the caption, "Rare sighting."
It was never fine.
But saying that out loud felt dangerous.
Madison turned around again. Her smile had disappeared.
"You know what your problem is?" she whispered.
I looked at my notebook.
"You act like you're better than everyone."
"I don't."
"You don't talk to anyone. You don't go to parties. You don't even take off that hoodie."
"It's cold in here."
Kelsey snorted. "She has an answer for everything."
I could feel the room listening without looking like it was listening. The air conditioner rattled above us. Mr. Alvarez continued writing on the board, unaware of how close the room was to changing.
Madison reached toward my desk.
I pulled my notebook closer.
"Don't touch my things."
For one second, her expression went flat.
Then she smiled again.
That was when I should have known the day would not end quietly.