Zoe stared at the boy. Her eyes felt glassy. She quickly looked away because she realized they had teared over.

Zoe

W-what?

Robert

Um ... I mean, I don't think I've ever really talked to you before. I think I had a class with you once but—is this some kind of joke?

Zoe ran to the bathroom.

In the stall, she wiped away a tear.

She forced herself to stop crying. As soon as the initial shock wore off, she could think rationally about the situation. Robert was a terrible liar, and he clearly wasn't lying when he told Zoe he had never talked to her before. He seemed as confused as she was.

So he wasn't trying to be mean to her. His reaction was symptomatic of a greater problem. Again, reality was not working right for Zoe. As she walked out of the stall, she wondered if she should even stay at school.

Girl's voice

Having a rough day?