The Pacing Man

12:23 am- As I lie in bed, begging sleep to come, it becomes apparent that I am not the only one awake. Across the street is a boy--perhaps a man--pacing along the five foot tall rock wall sign signifying the entrance to the University. This is no ordinary sign, it stretches across my whole window's view and is thick enough for someone to pace on. At least for this man. He starts by sitting. At first he casually swings his legs. Slowly, he begins to walk.

12:46 am- He remains walking. Stopping only once to drink from a bottle perched on the side of the wall. He walks sporadically; 13 paces, then 24, then 5; each time pausing; sometimes changing directions. The soles of his shoes reflect as cars still pass him on the busy road. The blinding white of his feet contrasts sharply with his dark clothes. I cannot make out his face, not even the exact color of his skin. He is too far, it's too late, too dark.I desperately wish to talk with this man. Question why he's pacing so late at night. Ask why he distracts me from my much needed sleep.

1:02- Still he walks along the wall. Slowly. Beautifully. Staring up  at the sky. But I must rest. And hope to see him again, this time tomorrow.

Social Norm

We feel awkward in uncertainty

Squid Writing Prompt

     The Teen Writers Conference is one of my favorite things ever. It's affordable, fun, and it teaches you so much. They just started putting weekly writing prompts on their website. This week, you had to do one that was 250 words or less and ended with "And that's when I found a squid in my boot." You're allowed three entries, so here's what I got:

The Tentacles

It’s not uncommon to find sea creatures floating around your house during this period of underwater war. They all communicate different meanings, and receiving daily fish is a sign of your loved ones well-being. But creatures with tentacles mean death and condolences from the government.

                After waking up at eight, I’d search the house daily for a sign of my boyfriend’s welfare. Finding an animal, I’d spend a few minutes admiring it before it’d teleport out of existence.

                One morning, a fish was nowhere to be found. I was disappointed but understood the fact that my boyfriend was fighting a war. I decided to get ready for the day, trying to keep myself from worrying. I went to my closet to put on some shoes. And that’s when I found a squid in my boot.

Missing

                Working at an aquarium, screams are never a good thing. Little shrieks are common when the big sharks come up close and catch people off guard, but we’re-all-going-to-die screaming leads to mass panic which leads to disaster.

                Rushing to one of the feeding rooms, I found one of the trainees huddled in a ball on the ground, crying about one of the squids getting out. I didn’t have time to quiet her unnecessary fears, I need to find that squid. And fast. Out in the open it could die from lack of water, human interference, or practically anything.

                Employees were spread everywhere, trying to look for Squishy (lovingly named by the boss’s kindergartner). I ran to a supply closet and searched diligently, throwing mops, brooms, and buckets out of my way. Finally I glanced in the small space that stored my extra clothes for dirty work. And that’s when I found a squid in my boot. 

Oh, Brother

                My brother’s done plenty of mean things in his life. Like the time he put a tarantula in my bed, or the time he glued me to the chair, or the time he tied miniscule knots throughout my hair while I was sleeping. I will never understand why, but my brother finds immense joy in torturing me.

                But it was my birthday. All I wanted was a carefree day that didn’t require constant attention on my brother. I came downstairs to a nice pancake breakfast, and the food wasn’t poisonous or gross. His smile was unnerving, but I thought that for once he was trying to be kind.

                He even offered to drive me to the mall, which my malicious older brother never did. And I was happy. Maybe we’d come to a turning point in our relationship. I quickly ran back to my room to get ready. Downstairs, I heard an evil laugh. And that’s when I found a squid in my boot.

To check out the conference and their blog, go to: http://www.teenwritersconference.org/

Image from: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjap9zxxdDJAhWn6IMKHUojB6AQjB0IBg&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fishing-khaolak.com%2Frigs%2Fsaltwater_rigs%2Fsquid_rigging.html&psig=AFQjCNHqEGUc583xhoNc1CbkO06tfS46Fw&ust=1449811215126205

A loss of wisdom

One month.
I've been given one more month with you.
How will I feel when you are gone?
Will I cry?
Will I be consumed with happiness?
I'm unsure.
In one month they shall rip you away from me.
In one month I will feel the ache and hole within me.
I can't fight it, we both know that.
But to miss you so soon.
I thought we'd have eternity together.

Dandelion

I sat and wondered what was wrong with me.

What could I do so wrong it would cause such hatred?

But I came to terms and excepted who I am.

No one can hold me down now.

Because I'd rather cry than be the source of somebody's tears.

And I wouldn't want to do something that would hurt anyone.

So as I sat wondering what I had done wrong,

I realized I was okay with sitting this one out.

Of course I want to be involved.

But I'd rather be alone than be unwanted.

But they still keep on trying to get through to me,

When will they learn I've moved on.

I'm not going to sit back while they destroy what I love.

And I've come to terms with what I want.

It might take time and a whole lot of pain,

But I'm okay to be a dandelion among a field of daises.

image found at: 

http://www.wallsave.com/wallpaper/2560x1600/human-dandelion-wild-images-redorbit-284875.html

To Be Me

Sometimes I think
how nice it would be
if I could be that person for a day.
I would have no worries
and be admired by everyone who met me.

But sometimes their mask slips,
and I see the tears in their eyes.
I see the pain beneath their smile.
Only then do I realize that they don't have it all.

They have trials too.
They feel like giving up and crying.
But they press forward.

Now I know
how nice it is to be me.
No one else living on this planet
knows how I feel.
They don't experience my joy that comes with rain
or the warmth that comes with the smell of chocolate.
They can't tell you the reasons I weave lavender into my hair
or what I think about when the clock strikes midnight.

Because only I know the full mystery that's me.

The Heavy Crown

     I watched as the crown was placed on my sister's head. She looked as though she could fall over at any second due to the weight. But she stood up tall, knowing this was her birthright. It would always be hers and she knew it. The task she was about to face seemed too much for her normally cheerful seven-year-old self.
     I was my parents first born. Technically, the crown should've been been mine as the oldest. But I didn't want it anymore. And I couldn't have it even if I did. The sorceress who had crashed my first birthday had told my parents that if they wanted to keep the kingdom intact, only a child with dark hair should rule. And I've always been blonde.
     My parents forgot about me, knowing I would never rule. They couldn't have another child for seven years and when they did she was blessed with dark hair. She was what they always wanted while I was what they feared.
     Taking a deep breath, I smelled the overwhelming scent of freshly bloomed trees, their flowery branches gazing down upon the ceremony. Lila looked beautiful in her loose, white dress. The responsibility of queen is a big one, especially since she will have no parents to guide her through the ways of the royal. They had drown one week prior to Lila's coronation. It was a lot to go through.
     I walked away, well aware of the extra security surrounding me, making sure I didn't try to kill the new queen. They didn't realize that I had lost that desire years ago. They didn't realize that I was grateful that Lila was alive to rule so I didn't have to. They didn't realize that I'd much rather be forgotten.
     They should've been more concerned about Lila.

http://theenchantedcove.tumblr.com/post/64284946402