It was after lunch; I was in the bathroom stall and had just finished cutting, razor blade in my hand. I heard the door open, startling me followed by the sound of 2 voices I knew very well, Anastasia and Belle. They were in some of my classes. I was so startled the razor fell to the floor, clinking. It peered up at me from the tile floor and I debated if I should move it, or me, or not. If I moved it they would know I was a cutter but if I didn't they'd know I cut. Either way, they'd know I cut. As slowly and as carefully as I could I slid the door lock so that the door was open.

"That was such a big lunch," I heard Belle say.

"Yeah, I know it was. Ugh I really want to lose 5 lbs," Anastasia said.

"Yeah, I know, me too. But how are we supposed to lose weight if they keep serving big lunches? I didn't have breakfast. I'm cold," Belle said.

"I don't know. And I didn't either. Well it's cold in here, so."

"Yeah. It's never enough."

"I know. We need to start excercising more," Anastasia decided; "that'll help."

"Ok."

"Hey, is that yours?" Anastasia asked Belle.

"What?"

"That."

"Oh. No. Yours?"

"No."

"Oh. Well, it can't be Kate's or Lizzie's because we just saw them."

"Yeah, we did. Maybe it's…Miranda's."

"Yeah maybe."

"The stall's full," Belle noted.

"Yeah I know."

I was about to come out of the stall .

"I have an idea," Belle said.

I was pushing the door forward while they were pushing it backwards, landing me on the floor. I'd had enough of that from my dad, as he often hurt me, sometimes knocking me to the floor.

They stood there right in front of me. Anastasia was holding the razor.

"Oh sorry we didn't see you there," Belle said.

"Yes, you did. A few minutes ago you were saying that the stall was full. You know you could've used another one," I said.

"They're all full Miranda."

I looked down the row of stalls and discovered that they were all empty.

"No, they're not, they're all empty."

"And?"

"That's my point," I answered.

"This yours, Miranda?" Anastasia asked; "or, should I say…cutter girl?"

"Um no."

"Well who else's would it be there isn't anyone else in here."

"It could be yours. Or hers."

"It's not."

"Well why don't you?" Belle asked.

"Um, why don't I what?" I asked, confused, but having some idea of what they were about to say.

"You know," Anastasia said.

"Cut," belle said.

"Now? But I have class."

"Ohhh look Anastasia she has class. Isn't that nice?" Belle asked.

"Just shut up."

"We won't until you cut dear. We also," Anastasia said; "won't leave."

"Or let you leave," Belle said; "now cmon."

They leaned down and grabbed my arms, standing me up. The bruises still hurt from this morning.

"Ow," I said; "let ge of me."

"No. Now cmon over to the sink," Anastasia said, pulling me over to the sink.

Belle positioned herself with her back to the door.

Anastasia pushed up my sleeves, letting the various cuts and bruises be exposed.

"Oh is that to make yourself less appealing for your father?" she asked.

It was like a line out of Girl, Interrupted.

"Leave my father out of this," I said.

"Is he the one that did that to you? Or was it you Miranda?"

I didn't say anything.

"I need to use the bathroom," we heard a girl say from outside the door.

"We'll be out in a few minutes Nicole," Belle said.

"Ok," the girl called back.

"Now cut," Anastasia said giving me the razor; "right here."

She pointed to my wrist.

"Just tell me that you're not praying for the courage to press down," Belle quoted.

"Cut cut cut cut," Anastasia chimed.

Belle soon joining in.

I did so, tears springing from my eyes.

"There. See now wasn't that easy?" Belle asked.

They left.

"Hello?" the girl asked.

I turned toward the door; "yeah it's open," I said.

A girl my height with her long brown hair in a high ponytail came in and started walking towards the stall but stopped when she saw me.

"Omygod what happened to you? What did those girls do to you?" she asked, coming over.

"They made me cut my wrist," I answered, still crying.

"And the others?"

"I don't want to talk about it."

"Ok. Ok."

She turned the water on to wash away the blood that was falling off my wrist and into the sink.

"Ouch," I said.

"Sorry. I'll try and be careful. I'm Nicole by the way."

"Yeah I figured as much. I'm Miranda."

Nicole went to the paper towel dispenser and grabbed a bunch of paper towels putting them on my wrist then turning the water off. She gently lifted my arm to my chest.

"There. Keep it there for now," she instructed me.

"Ok."

"You got any friends here sweetie?" she asked me.

"Yeah," I answered, taking a deep, shaky breath; "Ashley and…..and David and Lizzie…..and, Kate. I'm gonna go try and find them."

"Ok."

"Thank you so much Nicole."

"You're welcome. Any time."

I left the bathroom, slightly relieved but mostly humiliated and hurt.