Vanquished.

Seriously, that's how it felt as I walked down the hall back to homeroom. My hands were in the front pockets of my jeans, my head was down. I felt as if all the wind had been taken from my sails. A strong breeze could have knocked me over and I would have just curled up in a fetal ball in front of the beige steel lockers. When the bell rang, people would just step around me as I tried to become more and more invisible.

Mr. Garsh said he was sympathetic. I think they tell him to say that to anyone who brings him a problem. It's not like they care about us. Honestly, this is just another mill to churn us through. Four years and then we're out of here. They don't care about us, and it's not like anyone else attending this school cares about improving it. Except me, and now I don't really care anymore.

My feet shuffled against the white tile, and the sole of my black Chuck stuck, making a squeak that echoed down the empty hallway. I did everything they asked, I went through the proper channels, I made sure everything was exactly the way they wanted it. They do realize that it's nearly impossible to get