"You think someone like you can compete in a dance contest? Do you even know what you look like? Let me warn you, if you try to stand out again, next time it won't just be locking you in the bathroom."
Annika's voice echoed from outside the door, followed by cruel laughter.
After the sound of footsteps faded, I climbed onto the toilet and scrambled over the top of the stall.
In my rush to jump down, I twisted my ankle.
Miserably, I hauled my waterlogged body out of the restroom, looking like a drowned rat.
"Look, isn't that Joy? What happened to her?"
"I heard she was supposed to represent the school at the city's dance competition today. The officials are all looking for her."
"Poor girl. We better keep our distance from her. She must've crossed someone. We don't want to get involved."
My ankle throbbed with sharp pain. Alone, I limped toward the administrative office.
As soon as I stepped inside, a book was thrown at me.
"Where have you been? Do you know how important today's competition is?"
Everyone in the office turned to look at me with cold, indifferent eyes. Their gaze sent a chill through me.