Signe Hansen

It is hard to listen when no one wants to say anything.

784 days - every single day that she’s gone to school. Technically, she was unpopular during the holidays as well, but those days do not count. She doesn’t get teased or anything, it’s just that no one pays attention to her. She is basically invisible.

It used to be fine. Or, maybe not fine, but it was okay. Now, it’s not even okay.

“Isn’t it amazing?” Dad says, smiling widely. Mom covers her mouth with her hand. There is a letter on the table. It says

Who do you want to invite?

The Sleepover

The next day, Kara still feels sick, but not as much as yesterday. She sighs impatiently and looks out at the snow. She turns on the television, but there is nothing she wants to watch. She is totally bored, and she really wants to go sledding. In the afternoon, her mom brings home a present. It is a DVD that Kara has been asking for.
“Let’s cozy up and watch it together,” her mom says and makes some tea.
Kara sits on the couch. She holds her phone while they watch the movie. She sends a text to Rose telling her she misses her. Kara thinks it has been a long time since they talked. It feels like it has been weeks, even though it has only been two days.
“What are you doing?” she writes.
Rose does not answer for a long time. Kara clenches her fist around the phone, and she forgets to watch the movie.
Finally, Rose sends her a picture of Benjamin

The Sleepover

The next day, Kara still feels sick, but not as much as yesterday. She sighs impatiently and looks out at the snow. She turns on the television, but there is nothing she wants to watch. She is totally bored, and she really wants to go sledding. In the afternoon, her mom brings home a present. It is a DVD that Kara has been asking for.
“Let’s cozy up and watch it together,” her mom says and makes some tea.
Kara sits on the couch. She holds her phone while they watch the movie. She sends a text to Rose telling her she misses her. Kara thinks it has been a long time since they talked. It feels like it has been weeks, even though it has only been two days.
“What are you doing?” she writes.
Rose does not answer for a long time. Kara clenches her fist around the phone, and she forgets to watch the movie.
Finally, Rose sends her a picture of Benjamin, Lukas, and Julie. They are all sitting on one sled, and they look so happy. There is snow all around them.

Sleepover

The next day, Kara still feels sick, but not as much as yesterday. She sighs impatiently and looks out at the snow. She turns on the television, but there is nothing she wants to watch. She is totally bored, and she really wants to go sledding. In the afternoon, her mom brings home a present. It is a DVD that Kara has been asking for.
“Let’s cozy up and watch it together,” her mom says and makes some tea.
Kara sits on the couch. She holds her phone while they watch the movie. She sends a text to Rose telling her she misses her. Kara thinks it has been a long time since they talked. It feels like it has been weeks, even though it has only been two days.
“What are you doing?” she writes.
Rose does not answer for a long time. Kara clenches her fist around the phone, and she forgets to watch the movie.
Finally, Rose sends

Sleepover

The next day, Kara still feels sick, but not as much as yesterday. She sighs impatiently and looks out at the snow. She turns on the television, but there is nothing she wants to watch. She is totally bored, and she really wants to go sledding. In the afternoon, her mom brings home a present. It is a DVD that Kara has been asking for.
“Let’s cozy up and watch it together,” her mom says and makes some tea.
Kara sits on the couch. She holds her phone while they watch the movie. She sends a text to Rose telling her she misses her. Kara thinks it has been a long time since they talked. It feels like it has been weeks, even though it has only been two days.
“What are you doing?” she writes.
Rose does not answer for a long time. Kara clenches her fist around the phone, and she forgets to watch the movie.
Finally, Rose sends her a picture of Benjamin

s her fist around the phone, and she forgets to watch the movie.
Finally, Rose sends her a picture of Benjamin

ough it has only been two days.
“What are you doing?” she writes.
Rose does not answer for a long time. Kara clenches her fist around the phone, and she forgets to watch the m

Kara holds her breath.
Julie crumbles up a drawing, Rose is laughing, and Malou sharpens a pencil.
“But the others are going to Malou’s house soon.” Kara’s voice sounds shrill. “Come on, mom!”
“Did you not hear me say no?” Her mom is almost yelling. Kara moves the phone away from her ear, then she puts it into her pocket. Her mom hung up on her.
“Was it okay with your mom?” Rose asks.
Kara shakes her head. The lump in her throat is growing. When she bikes home, she feels the tears running down her cheeks