After our first class we had Math class.

I sat down at my desk at the back of the class, while Akia sat up front where she could hear the teacher the best.

She has always been smarter than me.

She’s prettier than me too, but that doesn’t matter.

I remember when we were about seven Akia got her hands on a hair straightener and straightened her hair.

She looked amazing at school and about every kid asked what she had done to it.

I was leaning against the wall in the corner watching kids crowded around her when her eye caught mine.

She smiled at all the kids around her and said,

‘Echo did it for me.’

I still don’t know why she said it because immediately after everyone started to talk to me.

Maybe she felt bad, but that was before the accident.

It felt like ages ago when-

‘Miss Riley, are you still with us?’