27 APR 2017 AT 16:51

Black and blue #21

The Way He Looked at Me #8

After that evening, my life started to change.

He didn't stare at me anymore. The gifts stopped appearing in my locker.

I thought Mom would complain to the principal, and the matter would be handled 'discreetly.' Ostensibly for the reputation of the school. Non ostensibly because his Dad was rich and powerful and the principal's bosom buddy.

But she surprised me when she raised a stink at the PTA meeting. She framed a strong argument about why boys like him, entitled brats, were bad for the school. By the time she was done, other parents had formed a group to go take the principal to task.

I was free, and had learnt my lesson. I took Karate classes, and boys, especially once like him, stayed away, either because they thought I was too uptight, or because I was too 'strong'.

I did make it to college on a full ride.

- Prachi Percy