Shadow Kids

Flashback

It was a cold November night; street lamps casted shadows over the empty roads and buildings loomed above the head of the twelve year old girl. She was running with a dark backpack slung over her shoulders, bundled in so many layers of clothing that she found a way to break out into a sweat in that cold night. Blonde hair fell into her face. She looked over her shoulder over and over again, panic and angst plastered to her face as clear as the stars themselves.

CRASH!!

The world slowed down to a blur while the girl flew backwards as she made contact with another girl, both flying violently to the pavement. Both of them scrambled to their feet in fear, not knowing what to expect when they met the eyes of the other.

“What was that for?!” The girl yelled filled with frustration. Her hair was a light caramel brown, her eyes magnified by enormous thick rimmed glasses. The several piercings on her ears stood out against moonlight.

The blonde one froze in place. “I-I’m s-sorry-I didn’t mean to-“

“Yeah, whatever!” She crossed her arms and moodily looked off into the distance. The blonde girl, still sitting on the gravel road, looked up at the girl she crashed into, not sure what to do or say.

“Oh, here.” The girl with the glasses sighed, growing frustrated with the silence.  She held out a hand to the blonde one on the ground. “Well, I won’t bite.” The girl said with a tiny yet radiant giggle.

The blonde girl reluctantly took her hand. “Thanks.”

“Don’t mention it.” The two girls eyed each other, both of them unsure of the other one. “I’m Roxy.” The girl with the glasses and piercings finally said, attempting to break the frosty ice.

“Jack.” Replied the blonde girl.

Roxy nodded. “Nice to meet you.”

“You too.”

More awkward seconds passed between the girls. Both seemed hesitant to share anything about themselves or their situations.

“What’s with the backpack?” Roxy asked Jack all of the sudden.

Jack looked at her backpack then back at Roxy. “What’s with yours?” She replied smartly.

Roxy huffed at Jack’s comment and crossed her arms defensively. “I’m running away.” She said in a strange tone between proud and scared.

“Really? Me too!” Jack said almost excitedly.

Roxy’s jaw fell open. “No way!”

“Yeah! I just left!”

“Oh my God, me too!” Roxy thrust her hand to her chest.

“That’s crazy!”

Both girls started laughing at the coincidence.

“Why are you running?” Jack asked Roxy, becoming serious.

“My parents hate me.” Roxy said, disgust practically dripping off her lips.

“Oh my gosh, mine too!”

“No kidding?” Roxy said, chuckling.

“No, seriously! They told me they were going to send me to a boarding school. They said they were sick of me getting in trouble at home with my nannies” Jack rolled her eyes. “How stupid is that?”

“So stupid.” Roxy said, plopping herself down on a nearby park bench.  Jack took the liberty of sitting next to her. “My parents think my sister is some kind of goddess.” Roxy threw her hands in the air becoming animated. “It’s so annoying! They didn’t even come to my art show today and I won first place but they had to bring my sister to her debate for the team. They she’s had so many though and she’ll have more to! It’s no fair! ”