The Loudest Silence

Isabella

I let the wind dance over my face as strands of my hair swirled in the air. Branches of trees cluttered with heaps of leaves brushed against one another as pieces of leaves slowly descended to the ground. I felt the crunches of the fallen leaves beneath my shoes as I slowly wandered around the campus. I had always wanted to roam the world freely, without the burden of anything on my shoulders.

I wanted to be free.

But what I ached for the most was to find my peace. 

It had felt like a lifetime had passed since I had actually been overcome with a feeling of serenity.  Each day brought a new burden, and new obstacle and I felt as if I was constantly on a battlefield.

Fighting a war between a fantasy I had always dreamt about, and a cold reality. 

The library stood at a lengthy distance from my dorm, but I didn't mind the walk there. It gave me a chance to clear my mind and appreciate the outside world. My steps were slow and paced and my head was in the clouds. My mind kept drifting to all the possible sceaniors that could unfold on this campus.

How long would I be attending?

Would Rick be visting everyday?

Would I have the chance to even experience a fragment of the life I had always dreamt of?

My hand tightened around my book bag that was slung over my shoulder as I tried to ease my anxiety. 

Live in the moment Isabella, you've already wasted too much time worrying. 

I inhaled a deep breath of the air as my fizzled thoughts disappeared one at a time.

As I approached the large library that was filled with intricate designs, voices accompanied with laughter reached my ears. I stared ahead where masses of students rushed through the center of the campus. Hugs, smiles, and squeals, erupted past me as I quietly observed everyone. 

"Watch out!" A frantic voice hollered, diverting my attention towards a lanky teenage boy who was wobbling on a skateboard. His eyes were wide with fear as he tried to regain his balance on the board as it continued downward. My eyes widened in alarm as he approached me at an inhumane speed and I quickly jerked to my left to avoid being trampled. He zipped past me a few seconds later causing me to release squeak of fear. I placed a hand over my chest where my heart was beating uncontrollably as I tried to calm myself. I could still hear the boy hollering as he continued his descent downward towards the large masses of students. 

I shook my head as I heard screams and yells from behind as the boy continued screaming. Ignoring the sounds behind me, I began smoothing down my wrinkled shirt before turning on my heels to continue my walk towards the library.  Before I took a step further, I came into constant with a something hard and went flying onto the rough ground. 

"Ow!" I groaned painfully as pieces of tiny pebbles embedded into my skin. My unruly hair curtained over my face as I sat there on the floor recovering from the rough fall.

As if you haven't endured worse. I bitterly reminded myself.

Scoffing quietly, I scraped the excess pieces of rocks off, completely oblivious to the towering presence in front of me.