My name is, oh wait why does it matter? Even if I tell you, would you remember me? Do you even acknowledge that I am talking to you right now? Curiosity getting to you yet? I am the girl who sits in the back of the class, thinking of a world where I don’t exist. I am the boy who gets pushed into the lockers because someone else doesn’t like what I look like. I am every broken down, sad, alone person you don’t even think of. But for now, call me Allie. Where I am from is least important right now, but I was a junior at Wintermill’s High School. I used to be the cheerleading captain, the girl everyone liked and talked to, but in a blink of an eye I became the outcast. A reject to the status quo, at least that’s what I used to call them. I never knew these people were real, I never felt the killing cut of another person’s words. I never knew, I still don’t fully understand, but can anyone really grasp it? I am getting ahead of myself aren’t I? I’m sorry. You know it’s funny how empty those words can be.

This all started over the summer, when I made the biggest mistake of my high school carrier. I went to a party, got drunk, slept with someone I don’t remember, and got pregnant. The next day I awoke to my twitter, Facebook, and Instagram blown up with how I’m easy and all it takes is a couple cosmos. I was in disbelief, I never felt so torn up. My mother lectured me, but I couldn’t blame her. Two weeks before school and the posts haven’t died down. I didn’t want to go, but my mother would simply smile.

“I’m sure everything will fine dear,” She would try and calm my worried mind.

It didn’t work, it far from worked. I walked into the filled halls, it went practically silent as I walked down it, besides from whispers. I see my friends, I go to talk to them, but as soon as I’m spotted, they laugh and walk away. So much for friends forever. Everywhere I went, left and right, I hear them laughing and talking, like they don’t even care that I’m there. It’s like one little mistake can change everything, so much ridicule, so much judgment. I went to class and I felt their stares, I tried to ignore them. I never felt so alone before, it’s so funny how all your achievements hide in the shadows and everyone spotlights your mistakes. They act like they have never done something wrong before. News flash, no one is ever perfect. I have never felt so alone before that first day back to school. All the whispers and laughing, I just wanted to cry. To disappear into thin air. Later that day my mother told me something, she had found a small support group for teen soon-to-be moms. I didn’t want to go, but I did reluctantly. I suffered two more weeks of non-stop taunting and laughs, I deleted all my social media accounts. I just couldn’t handle it.

I walk into the room, located in the hospital’s psychiatric ward. I trembled, my palms were sweaty. I looked around, who are these girls? I have never seen these girls in my life! Or so I thought, I sat down. A few whisper and some started. I just wanted to curl up and hide, but that is when I heard the sweetest, kind voice I have ever heard.

“Hello, Allie? Allie Warner?” a girl asked.

She had the brightest blue eyes, and most gorgeous brown hair I have ever see. I couldn’t believe she was there. I nodded at her question, she held out her hand with a smile.

“I’m Casey, I’m in your psychology class a desk apart.”

I was frozen, my class? My school? Why hadn’t I seen her? When that fact was, I had seen her, I just didn’t acknowledge her. She was invisible, yet right in front of me. I looked at her sadly yet embarrassed.

“I don’t remember seeing you,” was all I could muster up.

Her smile didn’t fade away, “Just as I expected.”

I tensed up, I felt worse than before. She was talking to me, knowing very well I didn’t know she existed. I pulled off a half given laugh. A woman doctor walked in, Dr. Isabelle Lurance. She sat in the chair, completing the circle formation we were in. She smiled at me.

“Welcome Allie, we are happy you have decided to join us. Today we are discussing whether or not we have made a mistake, by as you teens call it ‘doing the do,” She said to me.

I nodded and listened as each girl went. One said she was drunk, one said she bored, but it was Casey’s whom I wouldn’t forget. She stood up, her smile still bright.

“I was drugged, I have no memory of anything, no idea who the father is. So no, this was not a mistake, this wasn’t even my choice,” she sat down.

We all sat in shock, she still smiled. That’s when I noticed it, her eyes. They held no emotion, just empty. She was in true pain, her hands were shaking. I wondered, after seeing that, how many friends have been hurting, but smiled saying ‘I’m fine’? How many people have I passed in the halls, who felt like the world was ending? I reached over and held her hand. She flinched some, but calmed. She wouldn’t look at me, she wouldn’t move. Dr. Lurance looks looked to me.

“Your turn Allie, if you're up to it,” Her smile didn't ease anything.

How can a person be so blind? Why did I ever think my life was going down the drain? I stand up looking amongst the girls, my eyes fall to Casey, who was still shaking some, that is when I decided to make it real, this newly bloomed idea that has taken root in my skull.

“I have been so blind, I didn’t see any of you, just illusions in the halls. It took a stupid party and ‘a couple of cosmos’ for me to realize this. So many more people get hurt and taken advantage of every single day and all I would is sit there and stay in my sweet, candy land, perfect world all to myself.” I turn to them all,” You all have been through things I can’t even imagine. I’m sorry.”

A brunette stood angered,” Sorry!? Sorry doesn't bring back my brother who popped a few just to escape the cruelty of your faithful football team!! Sorry is just an empty phrase people came up to make an excuse for what they did!”

I flinch and nod at her, “You're right, they are empty, but that only depends on the person who is saying them.”

Casey stood up and turns to the door,” Enough of this, no one really cares about us. No one cares unless you're rich, popular, or pretty. This is a meaningless conversation.”

She starts to leave, I run to her. Grabbing her arm softly I look into her sad eyes.

“This is important, because if this doesn't happen, then it never will. Please,” I try and convince her.

She pulls her arm away,” What's’ the point of trying to get them to listen, if they don't even see us?”

Just like that another idea popped into my head. I smile at her.

“Then we make them see,”

All the girls blink, but they all catch on and all agree. Dr. Lurance smiled pleased with this, she helped us through and through. Though our first attempt left us broken down and hurt. We were splashed with slushies, and had garbage thrown at us. Most didn't even acknowledge us. Most wanted to quit, but I couldn’t let them. This was the one chance they had.

Next meeting, Casey didn’t show up. We waited, but she never came. Dr. Lurance got a phone call. Her phone drops. Next thing we know, we are all in the hospital, waiting desperately for Casey to be alright. Her mother walked over in tears. It turned out Casey wanted to check out her Facebook, one last time before deleting it. What she saw and read ripped that last piece of hope she had. We all waited, scared.

She survived thankfully, and the baby was safe. She looked down still in the darkness of the veil words she had read.

“Casey, I'm not goanna be stupid and ask you why like others have,” I began,” I know why, I have seen the pictures and I have read the comments, but that doesn’t mean to give up.”

“Shut Up! How the hell could you ever understand!! You were little miss perfect! You had it all!! Just go back to your palace and leave us be!! No one will ever see us!”

I have never heard her yell over the month I have known her, she scared me. I felt pain, worse than before. I hold her into a hug, even though she struggled, tears fell down my cheeks and her’s.

“I see you,”

I see you is all I said to her, she cried into me. Trusting me, and I won’t let her down.

That’s why I created it, “The Can You See Me Project.” A way for those who are suffering from whatever they are going through, can get help and be heard. It’s a website, a phone number, counselors, and your peers. That’s why I am here, to tell my story and show to you that you are not alone, and that you are visible to someone.

“I’ll take some questions now,” I smile at the high schoolers.

A boy raised his hand,”

I smile,” No, her and her son Isaac are alive and well, we are partners actually.”

The students nod some.

A girl raises her hand,” What about you? Did you keep your baby?”

I soft smile shined on my lips, “Hope is doing just fine as well, she a smart and beautiful little girl.”

The students all clap and I smile taking a small bow.

The story is done, was this real? Is this fake? It doesn’t have to be. This dream can be a reality. All you have to do is open your eyes and look around. And answer one question “Can I see them, Can you see me?”