Anna walked slowly down the hallway, eyes closed. She won’t run into anyone, they all stay away. She is an outcast, the strange one, the freak, the Christian. Anna had changed, and everyone knew it. At the beginning of school she was open and bright….until that. After school in the fall, something happened. No one knows, and no one ever will.

Opening her eyes, she strolled into her classroom, head down, and took her seat. The whispers of classmates surrounded her, but she tuned them out. Not that she could blame them, her choice of clothing wasn’t helping either. Decked out in jeans, a red tank, black hoodie, and black chucks, she stood out.

Jake walked up with his friends. “Hey, Aaanna guess what?”

She looked up with only her eyes, silently responding.

“It’s my turn to visit the middle school kids and I want you to go with me!”

He continued, “I’m sure they’ll all want to see a real Christian!”

He sneered, waiting for a reaction. When he got none, he swiped her books off her desk and laughed. Still nothing. Scowling, Jake yanked her off her feet and pulled her headphones out of her ears.

“Well? Are you coming? If you do, my friends and I will leave you alone. Forever.”

Anna’s eyes shone for a split second, along with her face, with hope. “Really?”

Jake’s face softened a bit, he felt bad. He and his friends tormented her everyday, but never has she smiled or shown any positive feeling. “Really.”

Searching with her eyes, Anna appeared apprehensive. “I can’t trust you.”

“Why not?”

“You’ve hurt me.”

The buzz of the classroom silenced. Everyone turned their heads toward the front right of the room. Jake released Anna from his grip on her hoodie, and stared. Before he could respond, the teacher walked in. Anna had already scooped up her books and sat back down.

“Jake. Sit down before the bell rings.”

Numbly he sat down, still in shock. Had he heard right? Did she really say that he had hurt her?

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