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Cold October air cuts across Molly's face as she runs to the one place that made her comfortable. Sadly, it was not her home, but when is it ever with teenagers? She slows to catch her breath, bending over on her knees, and something wet falls on her hands. She hadn't realized she was crying, she just ran. Now, with some of her energy back, Molly trudged through the falling snow to an old and abandoned playground. She felt the air against her skin and looked down to analyze herself. Her long gray t-shirt now ripped from when she was running through the woods. So did her dark blue jeans. At least my shoes are alright; she thought as she analyzed her old pair of green Converse. With her legs aching from the 3-mile run, she collapsed onto the rusted swing set, which made it screech in protest. Her fingerless gloved hands were numb from the weather as she gripped the rusted chains that connected the seat to the bars above.

Her long auburn hair kissed the ground as she leaned back. Recent memories flashed across her mind, and she shook her head to rid them. But they latched onto her mind's eye like leeches. The river of tears had stopped once she sat on the swings, but now they threatened to flow again. She felt conflicted between emotions: sadness, confusion, anger, anxiety, and her newfound depression. She had no idea what to do and wanted someone with her even though she knew she wouldn't say a word. She wished to scream, but no words came out. Wanted to cry, but the tears had suddenly stopped coming for she had drained herself dry. She replayed the recent events in her mind unwillingly, but she had nothing else to do because she had no one to talk to.

The day had started sunny although that was a mirage for the cold, bitter air to nip at Molly's nose. She walked a mile early in the morning to her school every day with her best friend, Alexis. But that day was different, for Alexis was nowhere to be seen at their usual meeting spot. Molly had shrugged it off, believing that Alexis was sick due to recent weather. So, she treked a bit faster than usual since she had always had to slow her pace for Alexis. Getting to school early as always, she walked into her first period class of Spanish where it was warm, and she could do work she didn't finish last night, or to read.

"Hola." Molly greeted politely.

"Hola." The teacher greeted back.

Molly sat down and began to read her book as other students slowly started to leak into the classroom. She searched the student's face for Alexis, but with no dice. But what she did find was Natalie, and she was aware that she thought of Natalie as a what instead of a who. Molly believed that anyone who could be as cruel as Natalie was not human. Natalie's fake blond hair swayed back and forth around her waist as Molly saw her sashay over to her. Natalie didn't speak as her "squad" followed. All Natalie did was smirk pretty evilly as she snapped the book closed and tossed it behind her. As she walked away with her "friends" following, Molly smiled a small smile as the teacher looked at the other girls sternly.

Then bursting through the doors was Alexis. Her dyed blue hair risen into a messy ponytail, her pale blue eyes wide, and, Molly observed, had a tiny splash of freckles across her long nose behind her black-rimmed glasses. She was panting, and Molly looked at her in complete confusion. Alexis wasn't late, because the bell hadn't rung out yet. Molly couldn't shake the feeling that Alexis was late for something. But then it struck her, hard. Alexis had always warded off the evil know as Natalie from attacking Molly; she protected her like she was the most important thing to her. But, this morning she wasn't there, and Molly was defenseless, like always. Alexis gave Molly a sympathetic look as she sat across the room next to one of Natalie's followers. Molly thought the sympathetic look was for Alexis being late, so she shrugged it off.

When the class was over, Alexis was trying to catch up with Molly. Molly didn't know why, but she was a little upset that Alexis was late and unable to protect her. But then Molly thought of how she wasn't able to defend herself, and the unpleasant word weak leaked into her mind, and she became a little sad. Alexis had finally caught up with Molly and was trying to catch her breath."Geez, girl. You practically made me run the mile to try and catch up with you." Alexis joked. Molly managed a small smile even though she usually would have something smart to say back, but she stayed silent, and Alexis didn't notice. Their next class together was PE, even though Alexis hated it with a passion, Molly had always thought it as salvation, for no one could beat her in PE, she was the queen. That period had consisted of running the actual mile, which she had completed first. She was always glad to run the mile; it was an excellent workout since she was also on the cross-country team. Alexis however, was not. Alexis did not like running one bit, which was one of the things different about Molly and Alexis. After PE, they went separate ways, Alexis was going to Art while Molly was going to dreaded Global Studies. It's not that Molly didn't like the class, it's just that she didn't precisely like who was in that course.

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⏰ Last updated: Sep 29, 2019 ⏰

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