Alone

The group marched along,
Chanting and clapping,
Middle school girls mostly.
Laughter and giggles.
I was somewhere in the back,
Fitting in, relaxing into it,
Clap, clap, chant, chant.
Part of something larger
Than myself.
Flying under the radar,
A successful impostor.
One girl turned, smiling,
Eye contact, the smile
It suddenly turned to laughter.
Mocking, stabbing, aimed at me.
My heart took that stuttering beat,
Face flaming, I stopped where I stood.
The group continued on,
Chanting and clapping.
I waited to regain control,
They would not see how it hurt,
To be solidly placed outside.