Friday, June 20, 2008

Shrieks of laughter coming from a group of girls wallowing away the hot summer day in the lake punctuated the quiet of the small town. She walked along the edge of the lake, observing the happy group, oblivious to her surroundings. Sadness marred her face, tugging at the corners of her mouth and pushing the twinkle out of her eyes. Her eyes, pools of baby blue, were hidden behind chunky glasses. Her hair was an ordinary shade of brown, hanging straight down her back. Her clothes were what her trendy friends would label as 'dweeby'. But an inner beauty seemed to shine from within, straining to get through the blanket of sadness draped over her.

The day was perfect, white clouds framing the blue sky. The sun was out in full force, seeming to be smiling brightly at them, as if sharing an inside joke. There was a slight breeze, dancing on her skin and bringing her relief from the burning sun.

It seemed like just yesterday, when she was saying goodbye to her friends on the last day of school, eagerly anticipating sophomore year. It seemed like just yesterday, when she had strolled this very path with her best friend. It seemed like just yesterday, when she was still laughing happily with her friends, not caring about anything else in the world.

She had been in this mood for quite awhile now. She had spent the past few weeks of summer secluded from the rest of her friends, making up excuses when necessary. Her father had come home on day and announced that his company would be relocating him to California. That was when her world had crashing down. She would have to leave her life in her tiny hometown and move with him to California. The thought of leaving her hometown, the tiny town where she had spent the past fourteen years, was overwhelming. She had tried everything to try and make her father let her stay: anger, tears, sucking up. Nothing worked. She had to just accept the fact that they would be moving and wouldn't be able to go back unless her father's company moved him back.

The fears flowed through her. She tried to imagine her life in California, but every time she did, all she could see was darkness. She was scared she wouldn't be able to find any friends, scared that she might not be able to come back.

They wouldn't understand. What will happen if I tell my friends and them I'm moving to California for who knows how long? I might never be able to come back. I'm scared that they'll shun me, unable to accept the goodbye.

Should I tell them?

No. Wait, they're my best friends, they should understand.

No. They won't. Just give it up, just leave without telling them.

Either way, I'm leaving tomorrow. There isn't any time for goodbyes.

The setting sun cast its glow on the water, sparkling up at her innocently. She breathed in the scent of pine needles, wondering whether this might be the last time she ever would. She looked around her, remembering the memories she had shared with her friends. Remember the memories one last time before she stored them in the back of her mind and said goodbye to the town she had lived in for so long.

Three years later:

There was a new face in town. A beautiful face that stood out from the rest and did not seem familiar. Her glossy brown hair cascaded in ringlets down her back, her eyes were pools of blue rimmed with smoky black eyeliner, her clothes weren’t even on the market yet. She looked around herself, taking in the sights, the sounds, the smells, the memories coming back. She remembered everything she dearly loved three years ago, now just distant memories. She remembered the roads she had walked long ago, remembering every step she once took. She wondered whether her old friends would accept her back into the fold, her old fears about starting anew coming back.

Labels: Writing

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