"Look at how skinny she is. I hope she doesn’t have HIV,” Annabel whispered to her gossip mate, Gloria, as Temidayo, the new girl, walked past their table. Giggling softly, Gloria glanced back and smirked. “I bet she has cancer too.” They burst into laughter, loud enough to drown out the chatter in the classroom. Annabel’s eyes gleamed mischievously. “I have an idea,” she said, rising from her seat. The two girls marched confidently toward where Temidayo—who preferred to be called Temi—sat, her head buried in a book. “Miss Skinniest Girl in the Universe, what are you reading?” Annabel mocked, slapping her palm down on the open page. Temi flinched and pulled her book away. “Leave me alone, please,” she said quietly. Gloria chuckled. “Why don’t you want problems? Is it because you’re so slim? Afraid one touch will break your bones?” She gave Temi a hard nudge on the shoulder. Temi’s grip tightened on the book. Her heart raced. “I SAID, LEAVE ME ALONE!” she screamed, swinging the book and hitting Gloria squarely in the face. The class froze. The scuffle that followed was short but fierce—leaving both girls with bloody noses and stunned silence in their wake. They were punished severely. But for Temidayo, the pain ran deeper than the bruises. That day, she learned a painful truth: Never let anyone push you to the edge where your actions are ruled by rage. Because once anger takes the wheel, regret often rides in the backseat. © Juliet Chinenyenwa Alex #grace #julietchineneyenwaalex