I Hope This Doesn’t Find You

by Ann Liang

“Stop acting like you’re better than us,” Danny snaps. “You’re the type to write shady emails about people behind their backs.” “And you’re the type to write Sadie Wen is a bitch on a bike shed,” I shoot back. There’s a collective, sharp inhalation from the crowd. “Damn,” somebody mutters. I can’t even believe the words coming out of my own mouth, but it feels good. I’m so tired of playing nice, of smiling as people walk over me. What I’m realizing is that if you’re quiet about the things that hurt you, people are only going to mistake your tolerance for permission. And they’re going to hurt you again and again. “Yeah, I know it was you,” I say coldly, folding my arms across my chest. Danny stares at me. “You know? So you were the one who sent Julius to punch me?” The whole room screeches to a stop. The world freezes on its axis. Now it’s my turn to stare. “Julius punched you?” “Julius punched him?” someone else whispers in the background. “But I thought he and Sadie hated each other.” “But they kissed each other,” someone says. “At that party, remember?” “Wait, Julius and Sadie kissed each other?” someone asks. “Why am I so behind on the gossip? How did I miss this?” “Yeah, well, seeing as she sent him a bunch of emails—” “Technically, Abigail sent it.” “Abigail sent it? Sadie’s best friend, Abigail?” “Sorry, I was walking past their dorm room and kind of overheard a bit of their conversation—I left just as Julius showed up to her room though. So I’m guessing he likes her...