My friend

1

She came tearing into the room. Her colorful hair flying behind her, a storm brewing in her eyes. That's how she was, always made an entrance, even if she didn't mean to. Every time she entered a room, we couldn't help but watch. We had to listen closely to see what would tumble out of her mouth this time, what color language is she choosing to use today?

Today seemed to be a bad day, her arms covered in thick bracelets, makeup slightly smudge around the edges, but these are only things you notice if your looking, like I was. She raked her fingers through her hair, tugging hand full's of it at the crown, something she only does when stressed or upset. Her eyes scanned the room, before spotting us. She beelined toward our small group, her lips trembling as she paced in front of us. Her eyes grew damp, the rain slowly misting away from the storm clouds in her skull. Finally she stopped, standing in front of us, but still shifting from foot to foot, her mouth opening and closing as she tried to find words. She always struggled to talk about her feelings, she could talk for days, talk your ear off if you let her, but as soon as the attention was turned to her feelings, her thoughts that kept her up at night, she shut right up. The makeup on her face couldn't seem to hide the bags under her eyes, evidence of the many sleepless nights. Her chapped lips always smelled of coffee, a slight tint to them from the gallons of it she consumed.  She kept tugging on her hair, biting her lip.

One of our friends spoke her name, standing up and gently pulling her hands from her hair. They quickly went to the insides of her arms, already inflamed with scratches from earlier in the day. She dug in hard, leaving ugly marks for us to see.

Our friend spoke her name again, tugging her hands down, and holding them tightly in her own. She shifted again, her eyes not meeting ours, instead focusing on everything but us.

We repeated her name.

"W-what " She mumbled, her voice trembling with emotions, she kept blinking, trying to keep the storm at bay.

"Whats wrong? "

I just sat there quite, my eyes taking in everything of the girl in front of me. Her hair was purple this week, it was red last. Her black skinny jeans clung to her legs so tightly they may as well be another layer of skin.  Her combat boots scuffed up in the right places, as if they where meant to be there when really it was from long wear.  The band shirt she wore looked worn out, she always tried to look her best. Giving off the idea that she just walked off some punk rock tumblr site. Her outfits usually aimed toward a specific celebrity she favored that day, but not enough for it to be noticeable right away.

Her lips didn't hold the smile she usually possessed around us, her jumpy movements were not from excitement, but from frustration. She yanked her long thin hands out of our friends. Letting her bag fall from her shoulder, we heard it clatter with empty coffee mugs.

"I-im fine " She snapped, her voice icy, she wasn't anywhere near fine. Her eyes narrowed, sending slight chills down my spine at the intensity. Her muscles tensing, but her mouth still trembled as it became trapped between her teeth. Her hands still shook as she continued to rake it through her hair.

"Ok" We sighed, knowing better than to argue with her.  Her walls came up with alarming speed, her voice getting as violent as her mind. Dripping with venom, and capable of tearing you apart, just so you didn't have the option of seeing her be human, just so she didn't seem weak.

Then we witness something that still scares the shit out of me, she transformed. She took a deep breath, closing her eyes.

When she opened them, a wide realistic smile was plastered on her face, she stopped shaking, and instead of tugging she twirled her hair around her now calm fingers. Her eyes were wide, and if you didn't look close enough seemed bright.