Time passes at a rate subjective to the perceiver. To some, minutes can last forever. To others they pass as swiftly as blinking.

Routine has made a mockery out of your perception of time. Day in, day out, you stick to your same rut. Never noticing how each passing day feels slightly quicker than the last. As it happens you hardly need to notice or care for change to find your rut. A bump on the path that is your life. careening you off towards the unexpected.

Today began the same as any other day you can recall. You awoke to your alarm clock blaring, Invading the remains of your dreams.

You rose to a grey tinted room. The morning light, just starting to fill it. taking in the waking world, you were brought to your senses by the smell of freshly cooked bacon. You couldn't get to the kitchen fast enough.

"Good morning Taylor, its refreshing to see you so excited on a school day" Your dad spoke, without turning around from the stove.

You of course only nodded placatingly, mouth already filled with hot bacon. pleasantrys could wait, where as the cruel grasp of thermodynamics waits for no man.

Your dad turned around and stared you dead in the eye. "You haven't been yourself ever since you got out of the hospital" He spoke with a tone that implied there was a question there.

Ugh, if you didn't speak up now he'd think something was wrong. "I'm doing better, I think seeing Dr. Carol has really helped."

Your dad continued to stare at you as if to ascertain the veracity of your statement. Finally, maybe having found something on your face or taking pity on you, he nodded. "Okay."

"Okay?" you asked hesitantly.

Ever since the incident he would never give up a chance to hound or ambush you for answers. But what could you do? tell him your best friend Emma had made it her lifes personal mission to inflict as much pain and embarrassment on you as possible? Even thinking about the constant insults and pranks, made your stomach feel hollow and your skin break out into a sweat.

"Its okay. maybe one of these days you'll want to talk about how you ended up in that locker full of used feminine products, and I'll be here. or maybe you'd rather talk to Dr. Carol?" He confirmed hollowly as he turned back around.

You frowned at your plate, hoping to avoid more awkward conversation. You'd been in that locker for what felt like hours, but as most the staff who had responded to your screaming can attest to. You were only in there for 10 seconds at most. making your freakout and hospitalization all the more embarrassing.

You're not certain how she did it, but you know it was Emma. The fact that no one saw her do it is just par for course. Just like no one saw her steal your mothers necklace, or dump juice in your seat. No, if theres one thing this last year of bullying has taught you its that Emma knows how to cover her tracks.

"Well its time for me to head to work. Stay safe on your run and have a good day at school, I love you." you dad said while looking at his watch.

"I... love you too." you mumble while watching him go.

You hate how stilted things have become between you two, but all that will change when you remove the root of your problems.

Emma must go. Decision reaffirmed, you stand and prepare to enter your battlefield of choice, Highschool.