Neptunic Rings

04 | Arago

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04

A R A G O

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I was leaning against my locker when I caught a glimpse of her leaving a counselor's office; my heart worked on its own accord, fluttering at the sight of her in a simple jumper and beanie.

But my lips dropped into a small frown when I noticed the sullen look she had on; her eyes immersed in complete disappointment. She seemed defeated - helpless almost - as though she was no longer trying to keep her head above the oceans of her chaotic thoughts. As though she no longer attempted to pull herself back up, allowing the currents to drift her further away from the world she once called home.

Gripping onto the arms of her bag, she kept her gaze glued to her worn-out sneakers, sighing as the bell rang through the hall. She dragged her legs across the tiles, heading in my direction, pushing herself to get through another day.

And I stood from afar, wanting to help carry some of the weight (of burden) that had her suffocating under its heaviness. It was crushing her; slowly, before all at once. And she was oblivious, oblivious to the anchor tied around her ankle, dropping her towards rock bottom (even though she was on top of the world a few months ago).

So I approached her, running my hand through my dark hair, unsure of what to say. She paused, snapping her eyes up to me, puzzled. And I watched as her pupils dilated with recognition and regret, staring into my tainted (from the love she once gave me) forest green eyes, sending me silent apologies for her past actions.

But I wasn't focused. Instead, my attention settled on her heavy eye bags and pale lips, wondering what she was going through. I traced along the faint creases on her forehead to her dull eyes where stars had long died in a being who wanted to feel alive.

And when our gaze locked, there was something about her hazel hues that were so empty and hollow. But being the person she was, she managed to turn nothingness into something so excruciatingly beautiful.

Beautiful. Beautiful, she was as she sent me a weak smile, failing to wipe off her look of exhaustion.

"Bye, Kosmo."

(And she left, her footsteps imprinting my heart with her fading presence, leaving me with a melody that I'll replay in my head, a lullaby I'll never forget.)