Marie wakes up and does her morning routine. She brushes her teeth and then showers. She lets the mist from the shower moisturize her curls. She then applied some leave-in conditioner to help soften her hair. Marie decides to part her hair in two sections. She slicks it back with gel, then braids each section to the middle of her head, and then leaves the rest of her hair unbraided in a curly ponytail. Once satisfied with her hair, Marie massages cocoa butter into her arms, legs, and face. One of the things she vividly remembers from when her mom was alive was to 'always make sure your skin is not dry'. Her mother would slather lotion every morning and night after bath time. She was so moisturized one time she slipped out of her dad's arms into her crib. It was one of her first memories. After getting dressed Marie takes a moment to admire her deeply melenated skin. Marie has always struggled with feeling that she wasn't pretty, but she did love her complexion and her acne-less skin. They were some of the few physical appearances she liked about herself and was proud of. 

She makes her way downstairs to the mess hall. It is a large room with a few rectangular tables and benches scattered around. There is a long rectangular table with food placed on it buffet style. Behind that table is the cook Ms. Shelby, who Marie greets when the woman looks up from a pot of grits she is stirring.

"Come get some food, child."  Ms. Shelby says to Marie she has a light Southern accent. Ms. Shelby would tell the girls stories from her early life in Georgia. Marie grabs a plate and walks over to the pan of scrambled eggs. She is usually the first one in the mess hall which is no different today. She would typically eat her food and then help Ms. Shelby dish out food for the younger girls. However, since Ms. Lillith said she doesn't have to do any more chores Ms. Shelby has forbidden her from helping. Marie knows it is all out of love but she can't help but feel bad about not helping. So after finishing her food, she brings her dishes to the kitchen to secretly wash them. It is her way of being helpful and also rebelling. Once she grabs her bag for school Marie makes her way to Eastend High. It is walking distance from the orphanage and soon the school comes into view. She is taking her time to get there. It is her last day here and she hopes it will be uneventful like every day this week has been.

Marie makes it to the building and through the front doors without anyone batting an eye at her. Her tense shoulders relax and drop down. No sign of immediate danger fills her with ease. The day begins promising, but it's as if they somehow know today is her last day. Marie spots while making her way down the long corridor to her locker, two of her worst bullies. They are currently standing next to it talking with each other. Marie silently prays that they just so happen to be standing there waiting for the bell and not waiting for her. Unfortunately, for Marie, it is the latter. She reaches her locker and as soon as she opens it they slam it close, nearly missing her fingers, as she jumps back from the sudden movement.

"Look Bro it's little orphan Annie. Oops I mean Marie" mocks Brandon. He has been the most consistent one out of her bullies here. When she first came to this high school she didn't make friends right away. Everyone ignored her and she preferred that time before they found out she was an orphan. Brandon tends to leave her alone for a bit when he gets bored of her lack of reaction. Only for him to reappear when he is bored again from whatever he does during his off time. Right next to him is his friend Keith, laughing at his stupid joke. You can always find the two of them together, getting into some sort of trouble. Today their brand of trouble is messing with Marie. 

Marie does what she always does. Ignore them until they eventually get bored and go away. She used to think she should defend herself or show how hurt the mean words and stares made her feel. After realizing it was a fun game for people to pick on her she stopped reacting. Seeing that she won't be getting anything out of her locker with these two around she walks to her first class. Thing one and thing two, one of their many nicknames at school, follow behind her hurling more orphan insults at her. They tend to back off once she gets into class since they don't share the same class. 

Luck however is not on her side today as they walk in behind her. Before she can make it to her desk and put her head down Brandon grabs one of her ponytails and yanks hard on it. He could have ripped a chuck out with the strength he used to pull. The sudden tug of her hair catches Marie off guard. She losses balance, her feet fly up in the air, and falls on her butt hard. Tears begin to prickle at the corner of her eyes from the sting but she quickly sucks it up. 

She refuses to cry, especially not in front of people. She won't give Beavis and Butthead the satisfaction of seeing tears. The two idiots Brandon and Kieth, laugh hysterically behind her. She looks around to see the other students in the classroom are also giggling to themselves. Marie didn't expect anything less from these people. She quickly gets up and runs straight to the nurse's office. The sting from the fallen is gone but the hurt lingers. When she arrives she explains what happens and sits at the empty cot in the room. She and Nurse Betty already have an understanding. They both know the principal won't do anything about the bullying, so Nurse Betty usually calls Ms. Lillith. Today is no exception and Ms. Lillith comes to the school after getting the call. Due to it being Marie's last day Ms. Lillith quickly arrives and picks her up to take her back. The car ride is silent neither of them tries to start a conversation about what happened. Marie hates that she isn't surprised this was how her last day at this school went. She at least hoped she could have made it through the whole day with her head held high.