A year ago,
she jumped over the edge of the bridge.
She would tell me about her diving classes.
Her walls were always decorated with ribbons and medals.
At her funeral,
I was unable to cry.
Instead her brother cried,
and afterwards we took away each other's pain.
Only when his lips were around my neck did
the tears come out in bundles.
Sorry.
- - - -
His highlighters smell like fake fruit
and squeak against the papers in front of him.
As punishment for falling asleep in class,
I stay behind late to staple packets together. Click.
Only the third day of the new year,
he claims I lack attention.
Koe says you haven't been studying much at home since last term.
"I do sometimes."
Click.
Please try to pay attention more this year. Your grades are far behind
compared to what they were before.
"Okay."
Click.
