Spencer’s Look is pure concern as my movements become more violent. Stifling the urge to panic, I rein in my body as best as I can. At least it wasn’t a seizure. My ridiculous amount of medication is actually good for something.

"What’s wrong, princess?" a voice jeers from behind me. Whose lovely voice could that be? I wonder…could it possibly be Madison? “Got a rash?” she asked nastily.

I stiffen. Several years ago, my father dropped me off at school, and Madison heard him calling me “princess”. Well, you can imagine what happened after that. Next time I saw my father, I refused to let him call me “princess” anymore. Despite my father’s hurt at my sudden detachment (and the fact that Madison can’t remember when the United States declared independence), she still jumps on any chance to taunt me with it.

“Hello, Spencer.” Where there is Madison, of course there is Sherry. “What’re you doing over here?”

“Nothing much,” she replies, not looking at Sherry.

“Come sit with us,” Sherry pleads, smile dripping with manufactured hospitality. Doesn’t this sound familiar? Agitated, I roll my shoulder against my neck again. Something sharp pokes into my back. Whirling around, I’m greeted by the sickening titters of the rest of the vulture flock.

“Are you okay, Ashley?” Spencer’s eyes bore into me, the concern in them growing.

“Yeah, something wrong?” Madison echoes. Her attempt at sincerity makes Sherry sound downright genuine.

“I—I’m fine,” I stutter. In reality, I’m sweating, jumpy, and painfully embarrassed. Again, I push my shoulder up into my neck. The Vultures jostle into me, and I jerk away nervously.

“Anyways, Spencer,” Madison continues, leaving the distasteful (while Spencer is watching) job of tormenting me to her minions, “I hear someone has a date with a very hot guy.” She wiggles her eyebrows, and I watch Spencer flush. How does she find this stuff out? My toe is stepped on in a highly conspicuous accident. Yelping, I leap almost out of my seat.

“Ashley!” Spencer is on her feet.

“I need to go.” I throw my lunch into a trash can and try not to trip on the way out. Breathing hard, I stumble outside the cafeteria and lean against the wall. I can’t let them get to me like this, especially in front of Spencer. My stomach turns at the thought of her questioning me about Madison’s behavior.