SheScreamsInSilence
I'm an outcast.
Not by choice, obviously
But my meager amount of friends
Earns me that label.
I'm an introvert,
I suppose.
I'm not antisocial,
Just socially awkward.
Is that really my fault?
Do I really deserve
The names
The tauntings
Or the laughter?
Maybe I do.
Square.
Basket case.
Teenage dirtbag.
Loser.
Creep.
That's all I ever hear.
That's all they ever call me.
But hey,
Those are my favorite songs.
The stars
All twinkling merrily,
As bright as a child's eyes,
As small as the freckles that are sprinkled across my nose.
I gazed upward
And tried to connect the dots.
It took me a few moments to find her,
Find the outline of the bear
Callisto,
Ursa Major,
Whom I was named for.
My mother stepped out,
Found me in the pouring rain
That darkened my hair
And made my skin shimmer.
My head was tilted upwards,
Eyelashes fluttering furiously as rain intruded
Into my wide eyes.
My nightgown lifted around my ankles
Somehow still light and drifty in the showers.
My mother watched me for a moment,
Then said, clearly over the quickly retreating rain;
"You look invincible."
I turned slowly,
Blinked at her,
And the corners of my mouth turned up.
"I am."
"Like this,"
I told her,
Bringing the wand to my lips.
I blew
Lightly,
Softer than a summer breeze
And the bubbles tumbled out,
Pushing and shoving
Lingering only a moment
Before drifting away,
Iridescent and flawless,
Spheres of light
Transparent and glimmering
In the struggling winter sun.
She exclaimed in delight,
Pointing, kicking the ground
Making dirt plume up around our ankles.
I smiled at her
At the eyes that sparkled brighter than the bubbles.
She learned a new thing today.
It's an honor to be my baby sister's teacher.
Stuck.
Buried deep,
Miles beneath their words
They tripped me,
Stuck out their foot
As I passed
Just like they always do.
But this time
I stayed on the ground,
My cheek pressed to the fuzzy blue carpet.
What did I ever do to them?