My Life's a Fermata

Caesura

The shadow did not leave, instead, it crouched down, kneeling on the floor beside me. I was dizzy from my inner struggles, barely able to decipher what was happening around me. Even then, I decided to look up, to see who was patient enough to wait for me, and maybe whisper a small thank you.

She was about the same age as I am, but apart from that, we were as different as the night and day. She cut her hair short, and it was tied into a small ponytail on the right side of her head, resembling a dried and tattered paintbrush. She was dressed in a pastel blue shirt, with a pair of ripped shorts, the type of outfit I longingly stare at from behind the baggy sleeves of my school uniform. Even on weekends, like today. Those kinds of flashy outfits just didn't fit the profile.

I worked hard to build my profile, resisting the urge to join the small communities in the school. I told myself they were all like venus flytraps, meant to capture you and trap you there. Stuck to listen to the meaningless gossip passed through empty minds, without a worthy thought. I separated myself from the social world, on purpose. I just didn't want to get hurt again.

The girl was still there, arms slightly extended, meaning to pat my back or shake my shoulders. I dared to look at her face, the closest act to making a friend that I've ever done within the past two years. The expression was unreadable, her gaze slightly lowered, her mouth tucked into a thin line that looked like she understood what I was going through. Except she couldn't have. The little voice did not haunt her. She was not like me.

I meant to look away before our eyes met, but I was not professional at such things. She threw me a smile once she saw me looking at her, the smile was bright. It was the most beautiful thing I've seen in a long time. She extended her arm, meaning to pull me up. I hesitated, knowing that hand holding was a sign of friendship. But some star must have shifted in its constellation, because for once, I didn't care. I held her hand. It was warm and small, yet her fingertips were covered in callouses. It was this hand, undoubtedly, that held the key to my heart.

She pulled me up, offered another smile and said something that probably meant a star shifted for her too.

She said: "Wanna see the band practice?"

The universe must be moving, because I said: "Sure, I'll come."