4strings5
She looked around. At the trees. The grass. The bushes. Everything surrounding her. She wanted to pack it all up in her suitcase and unleash it in her apartment. No longer would she be staring at the emptiness of the city, but an entire forest of animals and living things all begging for her attention. All inspiring her.
She crossed her legs, staring out the window at the pouring rain.
She hugged herself closer into her jacket, glad the bus was at least warm
Even if the people weren't exactly friendly.
Across from her a man missing three fingers and an eye kept his one good on her
To her right, a man veered closer to her with each turn
And she scooted away from him even more
But, even though, she was glad that neither of them could see the outline of the weapon in her pants pocket.
She lifted the heavy ball
Weighing it gently in her hands
I stared at her from across the yard
As she struggled to pick up and throw the softball
"I want to succeed" was what her answer always was.
Whether it was taking 8 APs her Senior year or becoming the leader of the chess club and the GSA and the Chemistry Club.
"I want to succeed" was what he answer was when I asked her why she wasn't sleeping these days.
Repeat. Repeat.
Do I make myself clear.
Repeat. Repeat.
Can anyone hear me out there?
Am I alone?
Or are you here with me?
Repeat. Repeat.
Do I make myself clear?
Repeat. Repeat.
No response.
The thread from the sweater trailed down the street.
Winding around corners and shops and people.
The thread continued all the way to a small brick apartment
It continued up the stairs and through the halls to apartment
451.
She was given a necklace. A necklace that explained everything and nothing simultaneously.
Neither her or the giver particularly enjoyed the necklace.
It was golden. With four types of stones: none of them matching.
It was horrendous.
Her braids reached down to her waist.
And spun out
as she danced in the rain
Her feet moving faster and faster
Her mouth smiling wider and wider
And she was completely unaware of everything around her
Except for the rain
And the cool grass underneath her feet.