Reflection

[excerpt]

The wind howled as the raindrops pounded on the window, desperate to escape from the dark, gloomy clouds. As the water dripped onto the windowsill, the girl got up with a sigh, shuffling slowly to the corner where the window lay. Hauling herself onto the chair, she grasped the handle of the window, forcing it down. Her finger slipped, catching behind the handle. She winced as she moved to return to her seat at the dining table. This is fine, she muttered, This is what I wanted. The house silently stood as it watched a tiny squirrel scramble away.

-----

“I’ll be right here. Come find me when you’re done,” she smiled, watching Nora fade away into the crowds, taking her smile with her. She turned to face the store she stopped in front of and gazed at the mannequin. She looked down and the corners of her mouth began to turn up, Nora wouldn’t come back. She knew Nora, knew she already left her phone at the bench they stopped on earlier when they ate ice cream, knew she forgot where she just left her friend at. Nora couldn’t even remember her own birthday, why would she remember the friend she made less than a year ago?

The girl muttered under her breath, “I remember. I remember all the times you left me alone.” She took out her phone and stared at the time. Wrenching her eyes away, she walked to the bus stop, shivering with coldness as a gust of wind blew across the trees. She stopped. Glancing at her sideways, a young boy grinned.

“Hello,” he cheerfully greeted her when she moved to wait in line with him. She turned her head, staring blankly at the waving trees. As the boy began to nudge her to respond, an older lady pushed him away from her.

[continue reading in the magazine]