I hear laughter.

I tense up.

"Nobody likes you."

"You're ugly.

I've heard these words before. 

Stupid words

Shallow

But they hurt.

 

I shake my head. "No."

This happened years ago.

So why am I hearing these voices now?

I look up. 

There is a boy- dark hair, slumped over.

Eyes lined with tears.

 

They're talking to him.

 

Who is?

 

My friends.

 

"Hey," I say, my own eyes tearing up, "Stop it."

 

They don't hear me. Or they think I'm kidding.They keep teasing, cutting lower and lower blows.

"STOP."

Everyone looks at me.

I swallow. "Don't. People used to talk to me like that."

I stand up.

I walk away.