Lily was in third grade. One of the girls, (Lily didn’t try to recall her name) was having a birthday party organised by their classmates.
She was a popular girl and everyone, (save Lily) was involved in picking out the gifts hanging the decorations and preparing refreshments and the games that would be played.
The teacher, who liked the birthday girl, led the class to the cafeteria just before the bell rang.
Everyone had pushed forward, so Lily was in the back.
When she reached the swing door, another classmate barked;
“We don’t want you here. No one likes you.”
and shoved door closed, almost hitting Lily in the face.
Lily had stood alone for a minute, then began to walk home.
Just as she did this evening.
Lily is standoffish, doesn’t seem to know how to make friends. The fact that everyone except her had been involved in preparation signifies why no one wanted her there.
This cuts me to the core.