5 Minute Reads | Anthology

Euphoria

By orchdorkFangirl05BU

No one notices the girl that is silent. No one notices the girl that won't speak. No one notices the girl that cries. No one notices the girl that laughs. No one notices.

Keep your head down, Jane. Don't make eye contact with anyone, Jane. Don't make a noise, Jane. Jane silently slipped by everyone. While everyone was pushing, shouting, and running, Jane silently walked. No one noticed Jane. Not the students, not the teachers. The moment she was out of the building, she ran. She ran past all the cars, past all the stores, past all the businesses, past all the houses. Jane slowed as she approached her house.

No one cares about the girl that's quiet. No one cares about the girl's safety and health. No one cares about the girl's care or feelings. No one cares about the girl's needs or wants. No one cares about the girl's whereabouts or things. No one cares.

Jane could hear her parents quarreling again inside. The noise was faint, but it was there. And she knew that at some point, she would be the topic of the argument. Jane entered her home, tip toeing past the kitchen, where her parent's voices rang much louder. She sneaked past her brother, who was fast asleep on the couch, and up the stairs. She sneaked past her sister, who was playing in her room.

No one loves the girl that takes space. No one loves the girl's being. No one loves the girl's looks or personality. No one loves the girl's smile or laugh. No one loves.

Her father called up to her sister. Her mother woke up her brother. No one came for Jane. It's not like it mattered anyways, Jane wasn't hungry. Jane cracked open her door a tiny bit, letting the light from the hall come in a little. Jane could hear her sister laugh at a joke her father made, and her brother complain about eating his vegetables. She sighed. She was born into a picture perfect family, but all perfect families have a dirty little secret. Jane was theirs. From the moment the doctors said she would never be able to speak, Jane's siblings always came before Jane.

No one knows but the trees and the stones and the grass. No one knows but the clouds and the rain and the breeze. No one knows but the sky and the earth and the sun. No one knows but the birds and the squirrels and the mice. No one knows but them.

Darkness slowly starting eating the sun up, as the golden orb descended from the sky. It was 6 pm, and the crickets started coming out, one by one. Jane got a sudden impulse, locking her bedroom door. She slid open the window, slithering from under the opening. There was a tree right outside her window, and she inched herself down it. She jumped off near the base, landing on the crisp dead leaves. Jane crawled past her backyard, into the woods. Once she was at a safe distance, she stood up. A few birds chirped around her, squirrels ran up trees, foxes ran into little nooks, and the tree's leaves rustled up high. It was all like one big symphony, all singing their own part. Jane felt safe, protected. It was as though the whole forest knew of her problems. And maybe it did.

Everyone notices the girl that's quiet. Everyone notices the girl that's at peace. Everyone notices the girl that's smiling. Everyone notices the girl that makes no sound. Everyone notices.

Jane walked on, and soon started hearing a rush of water. She took off, and stumbles onto a cliff. It isn't a long drop, only a couple of meters. In front of her stretched a field of glistening silver and golden waves. Jane found a small path down, and walked down it. All along the shore, small, smooth stones littered the banks. She picked up a small one, and threw it to the lake. The stone skipped along the top, defying gravity before it finally sank. Ripples extended, reaching out to the ends of the lake. Reeds rustled as a gentle breeze playfully and mischievously disturbed the stillness. Jane sat down, legs sprawled before her and her hands supporting the upper half of her body. The sun sank lower and lower, entering a new realm as it went from the sky to the lake. Every now and then, a turtle would pop its head up, then would dive back in. It was peaceful. It was good. For once in her life, Jane felt true happiness.

Everyone cares about the girl that's happy. Everyone cares about the girl's safety. Everyone cares about the girl and her feelings. Everyone cares about the girl that used to cry. Everyone cares.

Jane stood up, and began walking towards the forest again. This time, it was darker, but she wasn't afraid. Fireflies lit her way, and owls hooted around her. She chased the fireflies around, stumbling into a clearing. It was a beautiful clearing, perfectly round, with flowers all over. Butterflies sat on a log, wings iridescent as they reflected the moon's silver beams. There was no more hooting of owls or chirping of crickets, just the calm rustle of leaves, the soft waves of grass and flowers, and the dancing of fireflies as the butterflies watched. Then, a sudden breeze, came by, making Jane laugh and her hair fly, flowers dance wildly, and the fireflies dim. But the most astonishing thing was the butterflies.

Everyone loves the girl that tells silent tales. Everyone loves the girl that is calm. Everyone loves the girl that doesn't run. Everyone loves the girl that loves. Everyone loves the girl's laugh in the breeze. Everyone loves the girl that pays attention. Everyone loves.

The butterflies spread their wings and took flight. There are no words that could possible describe the beauty of it. Their wings were prisms, making everything glow with moonlight. Their wings gleamed in shades of blue, purple, and dark pink. Everything became alive. The fireflies joined the butterflies, and the single dancers became partners. Everywhere Jane turned, there was a glow of blues and purples and gold. The partners danced exuberantly into the sky, defying gravity as their dance joined the sky and the stars. The stars twinkled jubilantly, smiling down at Jane. She felt an immense wave of pain rip out from her chest. But it was all good. Her pain was finally gone, replaced by the feeling of pure happiness. Jane could do nothing more than smile, but it held more emotion than any other action could have held.

Everyone knows the girl's resting place. Everyone knows the girl's safe haven. Everyone knows the girl's laugh and smile. Everyone knows the girl's path she took. Everyone knows the girl's happiness and pain. Everyone knows the girl's final breath. Everyone knows.

Jane sat down against a tree. Her eyes drooped in fatigue, and her eyelids fluttered closed. Jane had finally let go of her pain, letting it be replaced with joy. That night, Jane had no more nightmares, no more days of suffering ahead of her. For this was Jane's last dream, her last adventure in this world. This was Jane's eternal sleep.

But she didn't fight it. She welcomed it. Because she only felt one thing:

Euphoria.