She shook her head, smiling in a way I didn’t
understand.
A complex, evil look.
“The kids are stressed. They need to let off
some steam. They helped you, would you be
willing to…”
My heart sank, but I kept smiling.
“Let off steam how?”
I had a bad feeling.
She said, “We heard about this art thing. You
stand up in class, and the kids do whatever
they want to you.”
“They won’t hurt you, or do anything bad.”
“You know how nice they are to you. Would
you help them?”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I wanted
to refuse, but she started with the guilt trip.
“If you don’t want to, fine. But the class is
stressed. They might treat you like before. I
know that made you sad.”
I realized Mrs. Davies knew I was being
bullied and did nothing.
“The whole class decided this. If you do it,
they’ll be nice again.”
Harding slammed the table. “What kind of
teacher suggests that?”
Dr. Evans nodded. “You didn’t agree right?”
ᄀ
I stayed quiet. I wanted them to like me again.
“I agreed.”
That night, after school, no one left.
I stood on the stage, facing thirty pairs of
eyes.
I can still see it, feel the fear.
At first, they just threw stuff, yelled at me.
“Why did you get into Harvard?”
“Worthless!”
I took it.
く
Then some guys came up and tried to take
off my clothes.
I looked at Mrs. Davies. She said they
wouldn’t hurt me.
She waved her hand. “Ashley, I said you can’t
resist.”
I gritted my teeth as they ripped off my jacket
and t–shirt.
I stood in my bra, facing them.
The guys got bolder, touching my stomach,
my legs.
I shook, crying.
Г
When their time was up, Mrs. Davies called
them off. Next group came up.
The guys got worse, much worse.
I closed my eyes.
“After, I was covered in bruises. I stayed in
my room for a week.”
I went back to school. The class was nice
again.
I was so happy, thought we’d make it to
graduation.
But two weeks later, Mrs. Davies found me
again.
L
“Ashley, you really helped the class relieve
stress.”
“The SATS are so stressful. Could you…”
Dr. Evans slammed the table, furious.
“You agreed again?”
I nodded. “Yeah. But it wasn’t in the
classroom. It was in a hotel.”
“And it was just the boys…‘
I heard cops gasp.
Harding lit another cigarette, staring at me.
“They did what?”
L
I nodded. I didn’t remember much.
It was too painful. My brain blocked it out.
I remember lying in bed, facing a long line.
Each of them excited, looking at me like I was
prey.
