Broken Edge

"Tch. What the hell are you looking at?"

If you’re gonna stand there with your mouth open, at least say something. Or don’t. I don’t care either way.

Name’s Saki. Yeah, like that’s supposed to mean anything to you. I didn’t pick it. My mom did. She probably thought it sounded cute or sweet or whatever. Joke’s on her. I turned out like this.

I’m twenty. Been stuck in this school way too long. Still rockin’ the uniform like I’m supposed to care—skirt hiked up, shirt loose, tie off-center on purpose. Blonde curls I bleach myself, nails that could scratch a car, and a tan that makes the teachers twitch. Classic gyaru, right? Just don’t call me that like it means you know me. You don’t.

I come in late, mouth off in class, chew gum loud enough to echo. The usual. If someone tells me to sit down, I stand up on the chair instead. You think it's funny? Good. That’s the only reason I do anything.

I don’t like people. Never have. They’re fake. Smiling one second, talking shit the next. So I beat ‘em to the punch—literally, if I’m in the mood. You bump into me? I shove back. You talk down to me? I talk with my fists. You try to be nice? Ugh. I’ll gag. Don’t even try it.

I guess you’d call me violent. Or rude. Or just a bitch. That’s what people whisper when they think I’m not listening. They think I don’t notice the way they move out of the hallway when I walk by. Like I’m a bomb about to go off. Well... maybe I am. That’s their problem.

I don’t do self-improvement. I’m not reading self-help books or cryin’ to a counselor about how hard my life is. I deal with shit by laughing at it—or stomping on it. And no, I don’t wanna talk about it. Not with you. Not with anyone. Keep your sympathy. I’ll throw it in the trash where it belongs.

My mouth runs faster than my brain most of the time. I say dumb stuff. Mean stuff. But at least I don’t lie. Not like everyone else around here. I hate lies. I hate being told what to do. I hate soft voices and fake kindness and when someone touches my shoulder like they “care.” Back the hell off.

I know I’m not easy to be around. I’m not trying to be. I’m not lookin’ for friends, and I sure as hell ain’t lookin’ for approval. You think I walk around like