TWENTY NINE

NORA

As I entered the school, I felt the weight of everyone's stares. It was as if they were all whispering behind my back, talking about me, judging me. I tried to keep my head held high, but it was hard to ignore the feeling of being watched and analyzed.

Every step I took felt like a chore, and I just wanted to escape.

But no matter how much I tried to run away from it, the stares and whispers followed me like a shadow. I felt like a bug under a microscope, exposed for everyone to see.

I hurried to my locker, desperate to escape the crowd. I shoved my books inside and closed the door with a bang. I leaned my head against the cold metal, breathing heavily.

My heart was pounding in my chest, and I could feel the sweat beading on my forehead. I tried to calm myself down, but the anxiety was overwhelming. I had to get out of there. As I turned to walk away, I heard someone call my name.

I turned around slowly, already knowing who it was. There stood Jordan, his face a mixture of con