The clock's hands flit across the dashes. So slowly, and yet when I blink, two clicks have gone by. I
stifle a yawn. After a couple of AP classes, all my energy is drained.
From my seat in the back, I can see that not many others are paying attention to the lesson. We're
all waiting for the bell to ring, and soon enough, its shrill cry rings across the hallways.
Slipping my way through the crowds, I find my locker surrounded by a cluster of girls from my
science class. I slip past them, saying nothing.
I shove my books back in and toss my bag over my shoulder. After closing my locker, I notice
someone's curious stare. Ari, was it? She seemed familiar…
Not bothering to say anything, I turned around to head out. I didn’t have a grudge against all of
humanity or go great lengths to avoid conversation. I've never cared to initiate it in the first place.
Why bother when they lose interest and move on to new people so quickly?
Coming back to an empty house was nothing new. My parents were at their jobs late, and I often
went to sleep early.
We weren't angry with each other. No ear-splitting yells or arguments racked the house.
It's just that they had their own lives, and I was fine being alone.
I could take care of myself.
…Besides, I had more pressing matters, like that end of unit science report.
Brushing my papers aside, I stretch and glance at the time. 9:44 pm. Some would say a high
schooler going to sleep this early was unheard of, but it was simply because I didn’t have any
extracurricular activities. Or anything outside of school, really.
I set my alarm for 6:30 am and turned the lights off. Then I closed my eyes.
Another unremarkable day. Nothing noticeably good or bad.
After I dragged my eyes open, a blue but boring lake surrounded me. Huh. That was new, and odd.
Usually, my dreams were of my fuzzy childhood or my parents. I usually forgot them in the
morning, but this seemed a lot more realistic than the distant memories.
A rough shake bolstered my thoughts. A young girl, around the age of 8, grinned and pushed me
to the lake. She spoke very quickly, but I couldn’t hear anything. But I recognized her as Alyssa
from first grade. I hadn't seen her in years.
I shook my head "no", but suddenly the lake drew my attention. Where it had once been dull and
boring, it shone.
Alyssa skipped a stone and grinned. I hadn't even noticed there were pebbles surrounding us. I
took one in my hand and felt the smooth texture. Throwing it at the clear water, we watched as
the ripples float across the shimmery surface. I stared at the water, content to see the beautiful
waves floating across.
I don't remember the last time I saw something so beautiful.
I tossed another rock in. The shine mesmerized me, but I tore my sight away to offer a rock to
Alyssa. I barely remembered her, except that she was the only person I considered a friend. And
yet I wanted to laugh and play with her. But she was gone.