Mona is a senior in high school dealing with a distant mother, ex’s, and life. She hides what her life is really like from her friends at her fancy school. She’s left to take care of herself while her mother struggles with addiction. While trying to keep her life on the right path she starts getting harassing notes. She also notices her abusive ex running into her a lot more than normal. Mona meets a boy who understands what it’s like to be poor around the upper class, and they get close while Mona’s life seems to be against her.

It Could Get Worse

 I stand with the sun shining in my eyes. Everyone whispers as they read off the announcements. There’s a bubble of positivity growing around us. I struggle to breath in it. All morning I tried to get myself into the same head space as them. In the mirror I practiced expressing excitement in the hopes maybe I’d start to feel it. Instead, I stand in the sun annoyed and sweating. I curse the weather for warming up and for traditions like these. The principle turns to us a big, fake smile on her face. She holds out her hand and the front row of students stands. She starts reading off the student’s names in alphabetical order. 


Getting Away