OLD FRIEND, ANOTHER LIFE NORA I almost forgot I had friends before. When I was ripped from school, I was also torn from the hands of girls and boys I’d grown to like. I wouldn’t say we were real close. Besides Frankie, I can’t be close to anyone. Secrets get in the way of friendship. They’re like a swinging knife always ready to sever ties. It’s just too hard. My hand shakes a little as I write the lesson in my notebook. Miss Candace gave us homework this afternoon, which needs to be completed by tomorrow morning. Frankie is supposed to draw a picture of her favorite animal and write a description, but she’s distracted by… well… everything. My fingers are sore from being crushed together in his iron grip. They shake even more when I think about my knuckles grating against each other until I felt sure the skin would break open. He’s getting careless. Doing things I can’t hide so easily. It’s like, now she’s gone, he doesn’t care anymore.
