She tries to stare me down.
Get my attention.
Let me know that she is there.
I never look,
though I am tempted.
I watch the video and
keep my gaze steady
the whole time.

In the hallways, she smiles now.
A mocking smile.
A smile that says, “I’ll get you.”
“You think you’ve won,
but this isn’t over yet.”

She walks around the school,
with her entourage,
and stealthily commands
their attention.

How does an early adolescent
amass so much power and
lead the rest astray?

Someone said that a person’s
behaviour is set by age 8.
Is this why no one attempts to reach her?
Everyone has given up?
Settled in?
Found a comfortable spot from which to view
her world?

But, I refuse to accept that there’s nothing
that can be done.
Is it too late?

It’s never too late.

Cross posted to Two Writing Teachers Slice of Life.