Ballerina

September

It was time for school photo to be taken. For my mom it meant shopping. She always wanted a new outfit for me and Anna. I actually did not mind her shopping for me but Anna was different. She was in that age I guess when you go across the street when walking with your mother.

- Anna please. Just go change into what ever you like and let's go. We are going to be late, I demanded. When Anna came down I looked at mom with raised eyebrows. Anna was wearing almost identical clothes that mom had picked for her.

- Try not to make any funny faces this year. Grandmom always asks if you had a stroke or something. You are old and mature enough to just smile, mom said to Anna.

- Where's the fun in that? I already practiced my expressions, Anna said and showed us the best face so far.

- Well you do you. But when you're my age you are going to be ashamed.

- No I'm not. I'm just gonna be like "oh how interesting being I was".

*

It took just few days to get the photos. I put the envelope straight to my backpack not even looking the photos.

- Give me your photo, Samuel requested.

- What?

- Give me one of your photos. Do I need to spell it for you?

- No. I ain't giving you any. What do you do with it? Use it for voodoo.

- No silly. It's just my thing. Each year I take every single person's photo in my class. I've done that since first grade. So, now you are in my class just give it to me.

I saw Penelope nodding slightly.

- Fine, I took the envelope back and ripped it open. I took one little sticker photo and clanced at it. I looked... tired and sad. I wasn't happy about the photo at all. Samuel tore it from my hand.

- Thank you! Samuel said and put the photo in his pocket. Teacher came in looking determined.

- Okay! Listen up. Today we are going to change the sitting order.

*

The P.E class had just ended. The teacher left the main doors and I turned to follow him. I never used the locker rooms or shower. Just the toilet to change clothes if school continued after P.E.

- Hey Ballerina! Larry shouted after me. I tried to keep walking but froze. It was probably sort of a defense. I slowly turned around and heard my blood rush through my ears. Larry threw something at me and I automatically catched it.

- Spin Ballerina. Spin!

I noticed I was holding a pink tutu.

- Spin! Marcus wanted. Everyone laughed, well everyone expect Penelope who tried to get them stop.

- Don't be such a party blooper, Samuel said and I threw the tutu away. I ran to the bathroom and washed my face with ice cold water. I still had an english class but wasn't going to stick around for it. I'm going home, I decided. I opened the door and ran into someone.

- Hey! She sounded irritated but then took my hand.

- Oh Anthony. Didn't know it was you, Anna said.

- Where are you going?

I stopped.

- Meet me later, Anna said to her friends and came to me.

- Is everything alraight? She asked me and I knew I had red spots all over my face.

- I'm fine.

- You've been crying.

- No I haven't.

- Tell me what's going on. And don't tell me it's nothing. I just keep insisting untill I get it out of you.