Canceled

Julie woke from a deep sleep. She leaped out of bed and greeted the morning with a smile. It's going to be another amazing day she thought to herself and why wouldn't it be. Everybody loved her. She was kind and thoughtful and popular. She was beyond reproach. Everywhere she went it felt like the world was giving her a big hug. She took the appropriate amount of time to adjust her appearance and then she was off to face the day but something felt off. She couldn't quite put her finger on it but what had happened was that the world missed giving her a hug to start the day.

On her way to school she noticed that there was something missing and then it hit her. At this point in the day she had usually received several texts from various people regarding various different things. She had always been "in the loop" so to speak but today was different. She checked her mobile device and learned that she had not received any texts at all. "That is so odd" she thought to herself. On a normal day she phone would be "blowing up" but today it's as dead as a door nail.

When she got to school it seemed like people were avoiding her. Even her best friend didn't have the time of day to give to her. "What is wrong with everyone?" she thought. Then the most worst-est most horrible thought ever hit her, What if she had been canceled? Being canceled is the worst-est possible thing that can happen to you. You are practically a non person at that point. She texted who she thought was her best friend. Usually when she texts her best friend she gets a response immediately but this time she didn't. In fact she got no response at all. It was at this time that the bell rang for class. She had to get moving.

When she got to her first class she noticed that someone was sitting in her desk. "Could I have my seat back please?" She politely asked the offending student. "I don't see your name on it." The student responded before laughing in Julie's face. "That was rude" thought Julie. She went up to the teacher. "Excuse me?" she said politely.

"What can I do for you?" The teacher asked matter of factually.

"That student is sitting in at my desk." Julie offered as an explanation.

"And you are?" The teacher followed up.

"Julie" Julie responded.

"You must be new. Just sit anywhere that's open." The teacher answered.

"I'm not new. I've been in the school district my entire life." Julie protested.

"I see. It looks like you're not feeling well." The teacher writes something on a peice of paper, "Here is a pass to go to the nurse." The teacher hands the piece of paper to Julie. Julie takes the piece of paper and heads to the nurses office. Julie had no idea what was going on. It's like the entire world had forgotten her existence.

She walked into the nurses office and sat down feeling dejected. The nurse noticed she was feeling blue and sat down next to her. "What's wrong?" the nurse asked in an extra sweet concerned sounding voice.

"I just feel like I've been canceled." Julie replied, "Nobody knows who I am. I don't even know who I am."

The nurse put her arm around Julie. "I get that a lot." The nurse responded, "But it's okay if you're not getting validation 24/7. It doesn't mean that you're any less important."

"Of course it does." Julie protested, "People only pay attention to you if you're important. If no one is paying attention to you that means your a nobody. You might as well not even exist."

"No one pays attention to me and I feel just fine." The nurse offered.

"I'm sorry to hear that." Julie answered.

"Look, I know it seems like it's the end of the world, but you're going to be fine." The nurse assured.

"What if no one ever remembers me?" Julie asked almost sobbing.

"Who are you anyway?" The nurse asks.

"Julie" Julie says slow and evenly.

"I've never heard of you." The nurse answers disturbed.

"I know, that's my problem." Julie confirms.

"Well," the nurse finally says, "You just rest for awhile and we'll get to the bottom of it. okay?"

"Okay" Julie says and she lays down to rest.