Everyone thinks that I’m a victim from the shooting. Some also call me a survivor, I’ve done the interview and the press, gotten used to the pity in people’s eyes when they looked at me, hell I even got free stuff because of it. “ Layla you’re so strong, you’re so lucky, I can’t believe she was your friend” people would say but no one knew the terrible secret I was hiding for over twenty years now.

“ Hey they’re finally killing that kid killer from your old town “ my roommate said as she handed me the morning paper. I looked at the headlines “MIRANDA LAMBERT. Child shooter to be put to death this weekend “

I put the paper away because I already knew what happened that day. I had to go back to my old town to see Miranda one last time.When I got to town I made a stop at the high school before heading to my parents house, nostalgia and dread washed over me as I stood in front of my old high school, where it happened, where I met Miranda.

Miranda moved to our town junior year of high school, she was tall and scrawny looking with short brown hair, blue eyes, lots of freckles and a round nose. I noticed she was sitting alone during lunch so I joined her, when I got close to her I realized why everyone was avoiding her, she smelled very bad and I couldn’t help but wrinkle my nose

“You can just leave okay, I know I don’t smell good. Our shower and our water ain’t fixed yet and my momma won’t let me stay home “ . Miranda said

“No, no I’m sorry about wrinkling my nose, look let me help you. I’ve got some baby wipes in my bag. Let’s get you cleaned up”


Unfortunately while I was helping her out, the devil’s incarnate Bianca Wilson came into the bathroom with her minions; Sasha and Trudy. Her posse also included her boyfriend Chad and his friend Dave.Bianca and i weren’t best friends but we were cordial until the first day of freshman year when I had my period and soiled myself and she made sure to point it out to everyone to embarrass me, I was so humiliated but that incident cemented her as the ruthless mean girl everyone should watch out for. I kept to myself since then and steered clear of Bianca and...