Light as a feather

Alice

A girl was watching. She was on the other side of the courtyard closer to the doors sitting at a picnic table with 4 others. She had her eyes on her. The girl was staring and was not trying to hide it. Her brown hair was in a bun with loose frills brushing her heart face. She looked mean. She was mean. Well, blunt. A.K.A a bitch. She's been watching her for a while now. Only now she's doing out in the open. Why has she started to do this? What is her end goal? Why have she taken an interest in her now?

~.~.~

She was under her tree. She didn't have her books out this time, just a bunch of papers. She was doing her homework. Why is she? She usually has her homework done. She's a perfectionist. She doesn't like surprises and wants things done the right way. What's happening? She quickly scribbled across the pages and after a few minutes, she puts her stuff up and lies on the ground, staring at the sky. I wonder if she still wishes to be free like bird.

"What?" she didn't look at me. She continued to look up at the birds flying around.

"I just wish I can fly you know. Go anywhere I want whenever I want."

"I guess that could be cool. Have super powers or something."

She looked at me then. Her mouth smiling but her eyes screaming for help.

"Are you okay?" I leaned up and stared down at her. My eyes wide and eyebrows drawn together.

She stared up at me for a moment. A swirl of emotions circling in her eyes before closing them.

"Yea. I guess. I'll be okay."

She never spoke of being free after that, but I could see the way she looked up at the sky every now and then. Wishing and wanting to be somewhere else.

~.~.~

She's gone again. I can't help but to worry. She hasn't done this since freshman year. I'm not sure she'll answer my call if I do call her. I miss my best friend, but I doubt she misses me. I ruined her life. I am nothing to her. I'm nothing but regrets and bad memories.

~.~.~

She's looking for her. Alice, is her name. She's a senior with us. But she's not in any of our classes. She's a bad ass apparently. Been in fights since pre-k, cursed out teachers, and gets C's. She's been asking around if anyone have seen her. No, they have not. She's sitting with her friends again. Her eyes searching. They brush over mines before coming back. We're locked in a staring match. Alice doesn't have any emotions on her face. She just looks. I look back. A person in red walks between us and our connection is cut. I look away. Her eyes are saying too much.

~.~.~

She's back. No homework, no books. She sits there looking up into the sky. She has on a long-sleeved turtle neck and pants. It's 75 degrees out here, but I guess the ACs inside the school makes it hard to know that. Alice is watching again. She doesn't seem to care about Alice's watching. Alice gets up and starts to walk toward her. What does she want. If she tries to start anything, then...then...

"Ay, tree girl." Alice starts when she gets closer to her. She doesn't move at Alice's words or gives any indication that she's heard her.

Alice stands above her. No emotion on her face, but her eyes, angry and sad and swirl of feelings.

"I need to talk to you."

"About." She says, still not looking at Alice.

"About the shit, you're hiding under that damn turtle neck!" she tenses and her eyes slowly goes to look at Alice for the first time. Her eyes analyzing, wondering.

"My bra?" She rises her eyebrow. "My dignity?"

Alice rolls her eyes and crouches.

"Don't play dumb. We both know you're smarter than that." She leans in and whispers in her ear. She's blocking her face. What is she telling her? Alice stands up and looks down at her. She looks back up at Alice.

"I'll come back tomorrow." And walks away.

She's looking at nothing. Her eyes are clouded and no sun can be seen through. She breaths deeply then looks up at the sky. Those bright eyes no longer sparking in the light. She gets up early and starts walking to class. The limp is still there.

I'm not sure if she fell again.