I never defended myself. Not once. I never said, "Excuse me? What gives you the right to insult and demean me?" I let them steal my dignity.

That earns him a smack with my book bag. "Ow." He clutches his arm. "What do you have in there? Books?" A grin snakes across his face. "I like my women feisty." He adds, "I like my broken.

But you'd sell your soul for it, wouldn't you? For one day of feeling beautiful.

I throw him two bones: a smile and a nod. Both lies.

What you see, isn't always what you get

Oh sure. Because we always talk about deep down stuff.

There's always a way out. All you have to do is take it.