Betrayer

The rumor had spread faster than I could've even imagined. I had started it all by simply putting a few red dots on Michelle's hand. She hadn't noticed because she, unlike me, is a dedicated student and was furiously taking notes during our biology lecture on infectious diseases.

I, however, was doing some, shall we say, hands on learning. The light red dots I made weren't very noticeable in the darkened classroom that we all sat in, but as soon as well all headed to gym class they blared out to everyone.

No one had noticed my red pen, so Michelle was utterly baffled as to how she could've gotten them. I knew that the class we'd just come from would spark the idea in everyone's head. By the time we reached the locker room, the girls were already speculating.

"Maybe it's just an allergic reaction."

"To what? That girl doesn't use any makeup or even lotion."

"What if it's syphilis?"

"How would you know what syphilis looks like?"

"I--"

"No, it's probably measles, her mom seems like the type to "not believe" in medicine."

I listened, inwardly smirking to myself as the speculation spiraled. Michelle, meanwhile, seemed to close in on herself. I thought it served her right, being so high and mighty all the time. Last week she'd said she was just oh so concerned about my grades and offered to tutor me in front of the whole class. This bitch had it coming.

By the time gym class ended, a large circle of avoidance radiated out from Michelle and no one approached her, expect me. It gave me a huge rush for her to feel like I was her only lifeline. "Sweetie, are you doing okay?"

I was mildly impressed that the ink stains hadn't sweated off as Michelle pushed her hardest, and still ended up finishing her laps last. Perhaps I would write the manufacturer a note.

"It's just weird," muttered Michelle. "You didn't see them this morning, did you?"

With a practiced air I thought was Oscar-worthy, I grimaced, "I didn't want to say anything, you see how people are getting."

Michelle looked downtrodden and motioned for me to lean in. With intrigue disguised as concern, I got close enough for her to whisper to me. "It's true, you know, my mom didn't have me vaccinated." Before I could move, she stuck her tongue out and licked my ear.

I yelped and jumped, clutching my ugly gym uniform for any bit of damp comfort it could provide.

The other girls noticed me and started to giggle. One had even gotten in on her phone.

Michelle, made eye contact with me, wiped the dots off, and beamed.

Oh, it was on now.

(Prompt by Lisa McInerney)

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