by Castile, Mia
“This might help with that.” I’m grateful. I pat the powder across my face, and it blends easily. It’s not magic, but better. I decide that someone would have to really stare at it to notice it, and I am relieved. “I’d like you to go to class now. I will take care of this and call your parents, too. Don’t worry; we have a no-tolerance policy when it comes to bullying. You’ve done the right thing, Lana.” I’m not sure if I feel like it, but I trust her, and besides I have no choice at this point. I leave her office and return to the main office. The secretary begins to write me a late pass.
“Lana, can you do me a favor?” she asks, as she finishes it and hands it to me, like we’re old friends and I owe her a favor and this will make us even.
“OK.”
“Can you walk Thomas Gonzales to room 113? It’s on the way to your class.” She points to a boy sitting in the corner. He has light brown hair and dark brown eyes. He’s tan and when he stands, he towers over me. His face isn’t too bad either. He’s wearing khaki cargo pants and an untucked, plaid button-up shirt. He walks slowly over to me.
“Sure, why not,” I answer. It’s not like I know the lay of the land, and it’s not like I’m the Welcome Wagon, but whatever.
We walk in silence for a little way, and then he says, “Lana is a cool name.” I just look at him.
“Thanks, Thomas.” He grins.
“It’s actually Tomas,” and he pronounces it like toe-maus. “But you can call me whatever. Back home they called me Tommy mostly.” He looks down.
“OK, well, I guess we’re here. Have a good first day.” I put on my best smile, which isn’t saying much since I pretty much feel like mud.
“You too. I’ll see you around.” He puts his hand on the door, and I’m backing away from him now, still giving him a fake smile.
“Sure.” And as I turn, under my breath I say, “Whatever.”
If you or someone you know suffers from bullying, depression, or self-harm, don’t stand by and watch them.
Stand up for them, be there for them and don’t abandon them.
Be the Broccoli.
For more information about how you can make a difference or find the help you need visit:
www.inspire.org
www.reachout.com
www.ulifeline.org
Mia Castile grew up in a small suburb of Indianapolis Indiana. She still lives near her childhood home with her husband and two children. She was passionate about writing long before she was passionate about reading, but has learned the two go hand in hand.
Learn more about Mia at the following:
www.miacastile.com
www.facebook.com/miacastilesnovels
www.twitter.com/miacastile
Bonus Material
Becoming A Butterfly Book Trailer
A Message From Mia
Becoming A Butterfly Playlist