All Useless Things In Someone's Mind

Somehow The Real Angels Never Get Enough Reassurance

- S T R A N G E R -

"Where are you going?" The new girl laughed as she ran after Eloise.

El giggled and slowed down as she reached the front doors, pushing one open with both hands before walking outside joined by the stranger. She put her bag down so she could remove her sweater and tie it around her waist, then put the worn backpack on again.

The school grounds were calm now, empty of the loud students who had hurried to class. El smiled as she held her arms out to her sides and faced up with her eyes closed, taking in the sun on her skin. The other girl watched her curiously for a moment with a calm admiration.

El's light freckles glowed in the sunlight and her slightly curly light brown hair shifted across her back with every occasional breeze. Her face looked peaceful, eyes still closed and a small smile on her lips as she took deep breaths through her nose, her chest rising and falling to the rhythm.

Quietly, the stranger copied her position. She matched her breathing and appreciated the feeling of the sun on her bare arms and face. Her smile grew slightly as she thought about freckles and messy flowing hair and soft, light skin.

She was brought back to reality by a giggling El pulling on her hand. It was obvious the tug to her arm meant follow me, so she did. The two headed for the sidewalk and started along it as El took even steps between each crack, the other teen soon matching her rhythm. They kept going, off school grounds, down the street, their steps becoming faster but more relaxed as they turned a corner and then another.

"Come on, where are you taking me?" El heard the other girl ask through a small laugh and tired breathing.

"El's secret," she replied without turning.

"Hey wait! Please, stop," she heard being called between heavy breaths, "I need a break!"

El finally stopped and turned to look at the crouching girl trying to catch her breath, walking closer and sitting to face her.

"Thank you," El waited for the rest as the speaker held up one finger, putting it back down before continuing, "okay so, El's secret. That's you, your name's El?"

"Yes," El responded matter-of-factly.

"Cool," Abel managed to calm her breathing, now sitting too, "how in the world do you do that El?"

"Do what?" El tilted her head.

"Not get tired from basically running for so long."

"Walking not running."

"Well- yeah technically, but still!"

El smiled awkwardly in response, unsure of what to say, and they stood back up.

"Well, nice to properly meet you El, my name's Abel," the stranger finally introduced herself, holding her hand out to shake.

"Abel, Abel, Abel, Abel," El was repeating to herself, already walking away. Her newly introduced friend caught up to her, thankful she was going much slower than before.

"Yeah, it means 'breath'," she added, looking to the girl by her side. "Ironic huh?" El didn't stop watching her fingers, but Abel could still see her face react with interest to the words, so she continued.

"It's a bible name, my family's like, super religious," she rolled her eyes, "I don't really care for all that, I think if there's a god..."¹

. . .

Two teen girls lay back on green grass in the shade of a lonely tree, looking up at the clouds in silence through the branches. The taller one looked at her watch and suddenly sat up.