Dew stained grass tingles against my ankles, and I take another bite of my sandwich. An unwelcome breeze penetrates my thin school pullover, and leaves above my head flutter in a down-wards spiral.

A few meters behind my back, I could hear a few girls giggling, squealing and laughing. Turning my head to gain a better view, I saw them; sunshine seemed to melt onto their skin, spilling into little pools around them. I recoiled, shrinking back into the shadow of the oak tree, and shivering as I did so.

It was my choice to sit here, bathed in icy shadows where a drop of sunlight would not dare trickle. I wanted to take care of my skin; I didn’t want wrinkles, or skin cancer. I don’t see why we couldn’t all sit in the shade.

Returning to my sandwich, I couldn’t shake the thought that people were watching me, judging me. Look at that girl! Sitting all alone.

At last, I couldn’t take it any longer. I sat with them, in the sun, feeling the intense heat burning my flesh. Maybe tomorrow we could sit in the shade.