
The Worm Phobia
By Walace Camargo

05 Apr, 2024

The school bell rang, announcing lunch. Maria, a reserved girl with a secret phobia, walked through the crowded hallways, her anxiety rising at the prospect of yet another meal in the cafeteria.

She was invited to join a group of girls she called friends, although she felt out of place among them. "Maria, come sit with us!" They said, waving their trays of food. She hesitated, then joined them, trying to force a smile.

A tray covered with a cloth was pushed towards Maria. "You should try the special today, Maria. It's delicious!" One of the girls said with a wry smile. Maria hesitated, then slowly reached out to lift the cloth.

The moment she lifted the cloth, she felt a knot in her stomach. The sight of the noodles - the elongated strands writhing on her plate - triggered her terrible phobia of worms. Fear gripped her and she found herself in a world where worms pulsed on her plate.

The cafeteria began to spin, and she could have sworn she could hear the girls' laughter echoing in her ears. Her hands balled into fists, her nails digging into her skin as she tried to control the bile rising in her throat.

The laughter of her so-called friends became louder, mixing with the sound of silverware hitting plates and high-pitched conversations in the cafeteria. Maria felt cold sweat on her forehead, her heart pounding in her chest.

Struggling to stay calm was proving futile. The sight of the writhing noodles and the laughter of her peers pushed her over the edge. Finally, unable to bear another second of torture, Maria let out a scream.

The scream echoed throughout the cafeteria, causing the chatter to die down. She pushed the table hard, causing the dishes and food to fall to the floor. Then, she spun on her heel, the girls' mocking voices still ringing in her ears.

The cafeteria was silent as Maria stormed out, leaving behind a mess of spilled food and shocked faces. The girls at the table stared after her, their laughter replaced with surprise. The echo of Maria's scream still hung in the air.

Maria ran through the empty hallways, her breath ragged and uneven. The laughter and mockery of her so-called friends chased her, even when she could no longer see them. She felt small, humiliated, and utterly alone.

Eventually, Maria found herself in an empty classroom. She slid into a seat at the back, her heart still racing. The room was quiet, a stark contrast to the chaotic cafeteria. She buried her face in her hands, trying to calm herself.

Her ordeal in the cafeteria was over, but the pain and embarrassment lingered. She knew she would have to face her 'friends' again, and the thought filled her with dread. But for now, Maria was alone with her thoughts, grappling with her phobia and the cruelty of her peers.