Swim upstream through the crowd of students

Bumper cars on the way to class

Climb the steps

Slowly

Dreading the destination

Walk to the end of the hall

As if execution day has come

How stupid will she make you feel today?

Slide into your seat

Head down

Heart beating

Don’t make eye contact

Maybe she won’t see you

But no

You stick out

You’re the weak link

She calls on you

You freeze

“I don’t know”

You deteriorate by the minute