Numbers and Letters

The thumps of feet radiate the house as I try to be quiet.
I try to hold my breath as tears run down my cheeks and roll into my mouth.
I try not to break down as I exhale.
The thumps are getting closer.
The sadness from previous events distract me from what's to come.
Wiping the dripping makeup away, I close my eyes as the thumps stop in my doorway.
The loud character is silent as he stands and stares.
I feel as if comfort will race around me and I'll breathe with relief.
Completely neglecting the sorrow in the room, the character throws school at me.
For a moment, I was silent.
Surprised.
Why are you saying this to me?
You see my wet face.
You see my red eyes.
You see my hunched back.
And yet you ignore it.
You bring up school.
You put my grades before my life.
You put my grades before the things that matter.
You put school and work and grades before everyone and everything.
A letter or number does not define me.
A letter does not determine who I am.
I am not a number on a transcript.
I am not a letter on a card.
My intelligence is not established by numbers and letters.
My life is not my school