On the Horizon of a New Future

Her voice is lost in the hurricane of screams. While she struggles to find the surface of the crowd, she slowly suffocates as breathable air is limited in her surroundings. She desperately stares him down, in hopes that he will notice and will rescue her from her misery. But he doesnt. The blue eyes that capture her gaze slowly turn to black coals and the indifference to her suffering sharply prevails. Her strength slowly fades away as the realization of hopelessness becomes evident, and she melts into a dark abyss.

Alana! Get up! You have classes today.

The adolescent girl groggily awakes from her disturbing dream and leaves the comfortable mattress just recently underneath her. She heads to the mirror and instantly recognizes every flaw she possesses. Alana Hood, college student, working a strenuous job, virtually alone in the world, and surviving on the sole reason of obligation. Her best, and only, friend happens to be her roommate, Hannah Harris. Except for both being newly-independent woman, these two have absolutely nothing in common. Hannah is an outgoing girl who loves to do anything that involves talking and interacting with people. She is usually joyful and always interactive. Alana, on the other hand, chooses to isolate herself and makes it a practice to never trust anyone. They became friends back in middle school, and as one-sided as their relationship has been, Hannah has always been there for her.

There are not many things that Alana has a passion for, but music is definitely supreme. Her dream is outside the walls of a dispiriting school. But for now, she is trapped in anguish. Each day becomes harder to live through, and after all this time, the world has morphed her into a dull and impenetrable shell. The distorted labels that define her identity stick to her like glue, the tormenting demons swimming in her head screech until desperation takes over, and Alana believes every one of them. Everything that has ever happened in her life only proves the truth.

Every morning, Alana hikes to her favorite place to complete homework, which is just over a green meadow hill, and underneath a glorious oak tree. Hey, Alana! Dylan Cunningham, the worlds most clueless and awkward young man. Alana has gone to such great lengths trying to avoid this boy for the past 2 years that she has even led him to believe that she is a voluntary mute. Evidently, this just seems to intrigue Dylan even more. Every other day, he shows up underneath her tree with his heavy books, an appetizing snack, and a golden ukulele that radiates beautiful sound by his hand. He enjoys unloading everything about his day during this time.

You look really nice today, as usual. I hope your day is going well. Did you want to talk about anything? This question is always asked, and always unanswered, in every conversation. Dylan has been trying to get Alana to talk ever since they met. He has had no success. Yet, he never gives up.

I wrote a new song. Do you want to hear it? Well I mean... Ill just play it anyway.

A sweet melody eludes from the instrument with each methodical strum. Although Alana almost always prefers to be alone, she can never resist the soothing nature of his voice mixed with the fresh deep lyrics and the added mechanical harmony. The oak tree sways in response and creation presents its natural beauty. The most amazing mixture of sounds in the universe. Alana enjoys the music, Dylan enjoys the company.

Every night just gets worse. More work from school piles up, exhaustion sets in and all reasons for enduring the suffering begins to fade away. The darkness of her mind tends to flood into every area of her life, and happiness is a lost element. Hannah distances herself from Alana, in hopes that her best friend will find herself in isolation. Unfortunately, the process doesnt seem to be helping, and now Alana is left utterly alone. Her nightmares get worse and her fears of loneliness and hopelessness invade her mind. Alana realizes that the thought of any one being able to save her is now only an impossible dream. Time goes on, and countless burdens continue to fall on her weak shoulders.

After withstanding the afflictions and fatigue, Alana finds her way to her favorite oak tree for the first time in months. Underneath the fresh leaves lies a familiar face. Silence ensues for quite some time, until Dylan finally breaks in, showering Alana with questions.

Where have you been? Did I do something wrong? Are you alright?

As expected, Alana answers all the questions with a cold silence. Frustration rapidly boils in Dylan and he unexpectedly bursts out. Look Alana, all Ive ever tried to do is help you, but if youre just going to be sulky and do everything in your power to keep me pushed away, then fine. Serious conflict arises in Alana at this point. She knows that he could never really save her, especially if he knew what really went through her head. Yet, Dylan was all she had left, and she couldnt risk losing him by surrendering his potentially only reason of interest. But she couldnt lose him this way either. All the stress finally catches up, and she spontaneously bursts into tears.

Im so sorry, I-I didnt mean to pressure you like that. Sympathy floods Dylans face replacing anger and he rushes to encompass Alana in a comforting hug.

Come on, Alana. Everythings going to be alright. He desperately attempts to calm the fragile girl clutched in his arms. Could you just tell me whats wrong? Please? I really want to help you. But Alana was not going to break her vow of silence now. However, she did something still surprising: she hugged Dylan back. This momentous moment completed the picture of a beautiful, yet somber, scene.

Ever since the sincere moment that Alana and Dylan shared together, they have basically been inseparable. They could be found either playing ukulele together, as Dylan recently taught his new friend, or writing underneath the notorious oak tree, until the sun betrays them. Alana still refuses to utter a syllable, as this original idea became a usual lifestyle everywhere. While Dylan desires to finally hear her voice more than anything, he has never pressured her again.

Yet still, over the year, Alanas unhappiness still remains to thrive, despite Dylans unawareness. Just two months ago, she was forced to pick up another job to cover school fees. After constantly pondering the critical decision, Alana makes her choice.

She manages to pack away all her belongings, send the letters to the dean and her professors, and plan a move to a new beginning, all under the radar. She begins to purposely distance herself from the only friend she has. Alana was going to leave college.

On moving day, Dylan comes to the vacated dorm room in effort to confront Alana. Upon arrival, his knock on the door reveals the sound of an empty and lonely room. His mind begins to race trying to come up with all possible reasons for his friend's absence. He instantly races to the one place he knows Alana could not leave without visiting for the last time. The oak tree.

Alana! She fights the urge to turn around and rush into Dylan's warm embrace at the moment of her name being called, but she continues to gaze at the tree.

Alana! Please dont tell me you were planning to leave without letting me know. Silence. Do you even know how much you mean to me? Silence.

I didnt spend the last three years of my life getting to know a beautiful girl, just for her to walk out on me. Tears begin to slowly form in Alanas eyes, but she remains to stand strong. Dylan progresses to desperately plead with her.

This is it, Alana. I need you to stay. I know this hasnt been the easiest life for you, but I want to be the one to help you get through it. Ive never wanted to start a relationship with anyone, as much as I have wanted to with you, for the past three years. But even your friendship has meant the world to me. Please dont take that away, youre all that I have here. Dont I mean something? The emotions inside Alana roar throughout her entire body. She wants to tell Dylan how wrong she is for him, yet how much she wants that life as well. She wants to express the truth about how much Dylan really does mean to her. She wants to run into his arms and never let go. Still, Alana knows life is not a fairytale, and thats when reality sets in. Alana slowly walks closer to him, clears her scratchy throat, and prepares to utter her first words in Dylans presence. Tension runs high, and Alanas voice comes out in a weak whisper. This meager whisper would determine her future.

Dylan Im sorry.

With that, Alana walks away sorrowfully on the green horizon, to her new future. While Dylan knows he will never see her again, he plans to treasure the sound of that whisper for eternity. To him, that whisper under the oak tree was the best sound in the universe.