It was a painfully slow climb up the social ladder and the only possible reward was a seat at the table dubbed ‘Cool’. Sally and I knew that was never a part of our future; so for the last two years, we relegated ourselves to a corner table where no one would notice us. We did our best to remain ‘small’. There were days when it bothered one or both of us and we’d venture out. When the shaming looks fell upon us, we’d scurry back to our corner like rats and hope drama didn’t follow us. The whole scenario made me feel like a coward. How was I ever going to step out of fear’s shadow when all I knew was how to tuck my tail between my legs and run off? “How did you do on the English essay?” Sally asked. I ignored the question. “Scott, what’s going on with you?” When I finally looked up at Sally I could see fear in her eyes. I’d seen that look one other time. Freshman year, my parents considered moving out of state. Dad wanted to relocate to a more open-minded city – one that didn’t ‘turn its nose up at anyone with a little ink on their bodies’.
