Walking with My Shadow

Chapter 1

Mesmerizing. That's it. The only word that comes to mind when I think of the living. The way they move now, the way they communicate, the dependence on phones and other things of the sort. I stood, well hovered, in the corner of the overly filled cafeteria, which even spilled into the halls, and watched the masses congregate. I observed them; the ways the groups separated. Honestly no different than when I was alive. The jocks, now this group assumed the name "athletes" pointed at and joked about the geeks – nerds. Often drooled over the girls – sluts? - And taunted those with black clothes and dyed hair, the Emo's. They – The Emo's- didn't choose their name. In fact, they despised it.

For some reason though, I was drawn to that group. As a group they laughed, smiled and enjoyed their time shared amongst each other. But alone, they fell victim to the sadness they tried so desperately to hide. They sat alone in the corners of the classrooms, stayed silent in group activities and listened to music that I found rather intriguing. Heavy drums and loud guitar, tech-ish sounds and singing, often screaming was part as well.

I'll admit, it wasn't the group as a whole that truly sparked my interest. It was one girl, around which the whole group seemed to function. On the days she missed the members of her group sat in thick silence. Often I caught looks of depression and even fear in the eyes of those who obviously loved her. I wondered what made this girl with purple hair so special.

She stood out even amongst those who seemed to be outcasts. Dark purple hair with highlights of slightly lighter purple and dark blue entwined. Big, grey, cat-like eyes sat upon high, full cheekbones, a small chin, lightly rounded jaw and small, pointed nose. All of which I would consider perfection.

I snapped out of my thoughts at the sound of screaming, I fight seemed to have broken out out-side the cafeteria, where the girl with purple hair sat.

A short yet older girl stood before the one which caught my eye, yelling and ranting about how the girls music was trash; A statement that angered even me. But the purple-haired girl sat looking almost bored, not even bothering with eye contact. She seemed to be staring through the girl.

"I said; turn that shit off now!" the plain-haired girl screamed, and lunged after the other girls phone. Before the other girl even got close, she had pulled back and pocketed the phone, still playing music. "Turn it off!" the brunette shrieked, not making another move.

"Or what?" purple said, still sounding bored, with a hint of irritation. The question angering the other girl further; A sound of sheer frustration in the form of a high pitched shriek escaping her throat. "I don't know if you just haven't noticed or if your too stupid to realize it but, honey, you're out numbered," she emphasized you're, "there is one of you and about 25 of me and my 'noise' loving friends." The other girl looked around, realizing that purple was right, she was surrounded but teens that were all similarly dressed and all gazing at her through hate filled eyes. Some of the ones I knew to be shorter fused standing behind purple, looking like wolves about to pounce on a deer.

Dez, one of the shorter fused girls took a step forward, fist clenched, face twisted with anger. Purple put a hand on her wrist, looked at her compassionately and then shook her head. Dez stepped back and huffed.

Purple turned back towards the offensive, "I don't want to fight you, not over something stupid; like your opinion, mainly because I don't think you're worth the energy," she paused as her friends chuckled and exchanged fist bumps, "So why don't you just go somewhere else, no matter what happens, you're going to lose anyway."

"Oh's" and high-fives were exchanged once more as the brunette huffed and turned, speed-walking down the hall. Purple sat back down and pulled her phone out of her pocket, acting as if nothing had happened, "I.S.S.U.E.S, anyone?" she said, offering her 5th favorite band.