I left for school really early; at six o'clock. I wanted to make sure no one from my house (especially my dad) would have to talk to me. Once I got there, I sat at one of the tables in the front, and put my head down. Even though I had been out all night, I felt exhausted. Without even realizing it, I fell asleep. Next thing I know, Lindsey's shaking me awake. "El? El? Wake up. Didn't sleep much last night, huh?"

I picked my head up, and smiled at her. But the smile she had on her face disappeared, and her hand went to the cut on my temple. "Not the bathroom again?"

"Uh, yeah," I said, lying badly because I was still tired.

Lindsey hugged me. It was then I realized that she thought kids were picking on me, not my parents. I could use this to my advantage!

We sat there for a while, with her hugging me. It felt nice, being hugged. Too soon, Ash and Craig interrupted. Craig had a shocked look on his face, and Ash looked upset.

"Damn intolerant school," Lindsey said, as an explanation. Craig gave me a dirty look, probably because he thought that's what I told her.

"You should go to Mr. Raditch about this!" Ash said.

"No, I'm just going to pretend it didn't happen, and hope that they quit it."

"They won't," Craig muttered.

"Why do you say that?" Ash asked, hearing him.

"I don't know," he said, trying to cover. "I guess just because this school is so intolerant."

The bell rang just then, and so we all headed back inside, with Craig glaring at me occasionally behind Ash's back.