Yikes!

by Nashwa Ahmed
(Cairo, Egypt)

This is an example of how pressure points can be real. Since I'm in Egypt, these names may seem a bit odd.

I was in science class, bored out of my mind. Next to me was a kid named Mostafa, and beside him a guy named Gasser.

Anyway Mrs. Ruba was talking about cellular organelles while Mostafa was taking notes. I decided to see if pressure points were real. I read somewhere that one existed on the shoulder. I didn't actually believe this, but I thought, "Eh, what the heck, if it isn't real, at least I tried."

So I began pinching Mostafa's shoulders. He stared at me and asked me what the hell was I doing. I shrugged and said, "Massage." He nodded slowly, then began writing again. Suddenly I heard the pen clatter to the floor. I looked at my hand, and felt Mostafa's body slump. His eyes were wide open, and he was barely breathing. I panicked, and moved my desk away from him.

Gasser started yelling,"Mostafa's dead! Nashwa killed him! He's dead, dead, dead!!!" I began crying and swearing that I didn't mean to. The whole class got jumpy and wondered what to do. All the girls were huddled in a corner, crying. The boys were near crying too, and were shaking in fear. I was alone in the class, tears spilling out of my eyes.

But about ten minutes later, Mostafa groaned lightly. Everyone jumped up and ran toward him. He focused his eyes on me, then yelled, "Stay away from me! Keep her away from me! Nashwa, stay at LEAST 10 meters away from me at all times!" I started laughing in relief, and the whole class joined in.

Mostafa went to the nurse and complained of a headache. I just hid under a staircase for the rest of the day.