MEGHAN-THE IRON KING

een that way-jealous, overprotective, forever looking out for me, like it was his job. I couldn't remember when I first met him; it felt like he'd always been there.The cafete

t table and sit down; Angie Whitmond and he

n invitation,I started toward him,weaving my way past the tables. He flipped out hi

rang c

gles. And then, the whispered conversation that always makes you think they're talking abou

r phon

anot

ht shone right on me and I was on display. The laughter couldn't be directed at me, could it? I saw several people poin

A hand smacked my

n, a blond, pimply clarinet player from

oze charm but reminding me of a dirty Kermit the Frog. "C

t?" I snarled, but he snic

ssage flashed across it in bright yellow. "Ho

s disappeared as a pic

staring at him in wonder, my eyes blank and stupid. He'd obviously used Photoshop; my body" was obscenely skinny and featureless, like a doll

th and goes

o see his whole table roaring with laughter and pointing at me. Ring tones echoed through the

hrieking laughter echoed around me, and tears stung my eyes like poison. I managed to cross the r

ada, or possibly Fiji-somewhere far, far away. I didn't dare show my face to anyone in this state ever again. Fina

bathroom. Scott took the time to personally ruin my life. I bet he's never done that to anyone else. Lucky

from class, this would be the first place they'd look. So, I finally gathered the courage

e door suggested she wasn't going to take any teenage foolishness. Her skin looked like that of a shrunken

she knew me. I'd only been to the nurse's office once before, when a stray soccer ball hit me in the nose. Back then, the nurse was bony and tall,

ing my navel like it was about to burst. "

ase. There are som

omething to make

by several huge sheets. Except for my

r cot and lay back on th

full of something that bubbled and steamed. "Take this, yo

chocolate and herbs, except stronger, somehow, a mix

t smiled and

was incredible, like the richest chocolate in the world, with just a hint of bitter afte

back on the crinkly mattress, I closed

ed

d to move, but it felt like my body was wrapped in cotton, my head filled with ga

ouet

reckless," warned a

ve me more of that chocolaty stuff. "Remember, your duty is to w

liar voice. "Draw attention to m

ll be very upset with you. Mortal adolescents are blind and cruel. You know that.

worrisome thing

he curtain looked confusing and strange. The nurse, it seemed, was even smaller, barely three feet in height. The other shad

. "T've heard the same," he muttered. "Dark rumors are stirring. The Courts

turned, putting both hands on her hips, her voice chiding. "I'm surprised you haven

sighed, putting his head in his hands. "I'll tak

nurse. "Poor thing,

otion that will knock her

mild' sleep potions didn't wake up for two weeks

She's her father's daughter. She'll be fine." Or maybe it was just me. The

GHA

en pounds of sand in them, and sleep gook crusted the corners, making it impossible to focus. Groaning, I wiped my lids and stared

ky you, school is out. It's time to go home.""Huh?" I mutered intelligently, wiping

asses you missed after lunch. Oh, and you're forgiven, by the way. I won't even say 'I told you so." He was speaking too fas

n I rem

mom," I said, dropp

e up," I elaborated. "No way am I getting on the bus, ever

aid, "I heard what happe

school is talking about me. This will probably go in the school paper. I'll

my chest and buri

rthday," I moaned into my jeans. "This isn't s

chest. I sniffled and shed a few tears into his jacket, listening to his heartbeat throug

one will care what happened today. By tomorrow, everyone will have forgotten about

e. I nodded, steeling myself for what was to come. We left the n

front of the lockers, chattering away and snapping their gum. My stomach tensed and my heart began to pound. Robbie s

dst of describing my shameful retreat from the cafeteria."And then she, like, started bawling," Angie said, her nasal voice cutting through the hall. "And I was like, omygod she's such a lo

htened his grip and pulled me away. I heard him mutter something under his breath, and felt

students jerked their heads toward the shrieking. But, for a split second, I saw Angie coverin