Nerves

Lily

Lily nodded along as the Principal spoke to them about the fundraiser, only half-listening. She knew what was coming next. Sure enough, he asked her to stay back, dismissing the others. She chewed her lip in anticipation. 

"Lily, you are a lovely girl, and this is certainly not personal. But, you do understand that with your grades, there is no way you can pass this year? You need to work harder. If you do not show some improvement by December, I will have no choice but to fail you."

This conversation weighed on her mind as she absent-mindedly helped a girl pick up her fallen books. Maya. The one with the stage fright. Lily knew who she was. Everyone knew who she was. She was the girl who had a nervous breakdown in front of the entire school while giving her acceptance speech for the state topper award. 

Lily scoffed. State Topper. Two words she'll never hear. With her luck, she'll probably be kicked out of the state for being so worthless.

It wasn't her fault. She had tried. Of course she had tried. But the words just seemed to swim in front of her eyes. She had been tested for dyslexia, but the doctors had said that there was nothing wrong with her. And so, everyone just concluded that she was lazy.

It hadn't really  bothered her until now. Everyone at school loved her. Her parents were easygoing and laid-back. She had a beautiful voice, and singing always gave her great joy. She hummed a tune now as she looked out of the bus window. 

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of someone yelling. A large bird was making it's way toward the bus, aiming for someone in the front seat. Maya.