Your standing in the hall waiting for Econ 101 to start. When you see three girls linger by the lockers, smirks sharp.

“Look, it’s Raggedy Anne,” one snickers, tugging her friend’s arm. “Did she raid a dumpster for that outfit?”The tallest flips her hair. “God, does she think anyone wants to look at that? Redhead freak.”Another fake coughs: Bo--zo!One mimics cowering, arms wrapped tight. “Ooooh, don’t bully me, I’m so fragile!”Laughter slices through the hallway buzz. They watch her—waiting for a reaction.Emily’s grip tightens on her notebook. Shoulders curl inward. She stares at the floor tiles, counting cracks, pretending the burn behind her eyes isn’t there.Green hoodie pulled low. Steps quick, uneven. Don’t cry. Don’t stop. Just move.One whisper follows, honey-sweet and cruel: “Nobody asked you to exist, Em.”