I Was Teased Throughout School – At Our 10-Year Reunion, Nobody Recognized Me, so I Took Advantage of It

For a second, I held it against my chest.

Madison’s eyes shone.

Then I put it in my bag.

Outside on the terrace, the cold air hit my face, and I finally cried. It wasn’t the old kind of crying, where I tried to stay silent so no one would hear.

This was different. It was quieter and cleaner.

The door opened behind me.

“Eva?”

Ashley stood there, arms wrapped around herself.

I finally cried.

I wiped my cheek. “If you’re here to defend Madison, don’t.”

“I’m not.”

“Then what?”

She stepped closer, then stopped like she knew she hadn’t earned the right. “I should’ve said something back then.”

“Yes,” I said. “You should have.”

Ashley nodded. “I laughed because I was scared they’d turn on me.”

“If you’re here to defend Madison, don’t.”

“And I’m not going to comfort you for feeling guilty.”