Because life was so hard at home, Michelle struggled in school. Sometimes, she would sleep in class while the teacher was teaching because she was so very tired. She could not sleep at home, because her parents fought with each other or her Papa would come home drunk and make a lot of noise. When Papa was drunk, Michelle was very scared.

Her teachers often told her she was a bad student because she did not complete her homework anymore. She did not have time to complete it. Michelle's classmates made fun of her because she did not have nice clothes. Her clothes were old and had holes in them.

During lunch period, Michelle hid in a corner to stay away from the mean people who always laughed at her. Sometimes, she went to school without money. But Michelle's real problem was at home.

Michelle hated going home. She hated home even more when Papa was there. Sometimes he hit her so hard she bled. Bruises started to show. One day, on her way home, Michelle thought to herself, "If he hurts me one more time, I will run away. If he hits me one more time, I will be gone."