Sorry for yourself

　　Today is the first day of school and also the first time I am resuming a new semester without Maria. It’s odd.

　　I pass a look at my reflection in the rearview mirror. I don’t look so bad. No makeup except a dab of red lipstick. Ben’s clip—the second colourful item of my outfit—is keeping my hair away from my face.

　　My fingers shake slightly at the thought of Ben. I miss my boyfriend. I touch the butterfly on the clip and a wry smile forms on my lips. I haven’t been the best girlfriend to him in days. I push that thought aside as soon as the laughing image of him and Olivia pops in my mind. Are they really just friends?