When your teacher tells you your skirt is too short

or your top is too low

and you know

that when you walk into math class,

the reason your raised hand is getting ignored

isn't 'cause you're stupid,

it's because he can't handle it,

you don't say "Fuck you." you say

It's fine, I'm not cold, I'm wearing tights

and walk away.

When your teacher tells you

that you can do better

that you're wasting their time

that you're losing control

and you know that they're right,

but you're scared to try because you don't know how anymore

and you would rather plan on not impressing them

you don't say "Fuck you." you say

I'll try harder, I never meant to do that, I guess I just forgot

and walk away.

When your teacher tells you

not to turn it in early

and your mother sees you did the project early

and sends it to the front office

and the teacher calls you a liar in front of the entire class

you don't say "Fuck you." you say

nothing and cry into your sweater sleeves

and walk away.

When your teacher tells you

how much they believe in you

and looks at you like you're a genius

like you shine on the world

and they teach you to be confident

to believe that you shine on the world because that's what they think

when they say "the most enthusiastic student I have ever seen"

you don't say "I trust you more than anyone at this school, including my friends." you say

"I know." 

And you walk away.