KEEP OUT
By: Emily Boyle
Smiles. Hugs. Compliments. Encouragement.
I like you a lot. You’re hilarious. You’re beautiful. I’m glad to know you.
It wasn’t until two years ago that it happened. Or maybe one year.
I think it was in between.
Even though I was so used to being alone in my little bubble,
I found myself with a group of friends.
Sit with me at lunch please? Your hair is beautiful! This is why I love you.
It wasn’t like I was all of a sudden swooped from my loneliness into a group. I wasn’t like an orphan that had been taken in by a new family. It was one by one. People started talking to me. People started sitting with me at lunch. It started with one friend, then old friends from when I was young, and then people I didn’t know yet.
I slowly let them inside my bubble.
They were nice to me and made me feel happy and made me feel like I belonged.
You’re the best! I’m just happy to be friends with you.
And for the first time, I knew what it was like to be in a group.
I didn’t really spend time with them outside of school. When the clock struck 1:44, I would be back to the girl who doesn’t talk to anyone and sat alone in her room on the internet. But they were still welcomed in my bubble. When I’d go back to school the next day, I’d see people who cared about me.
I actually started to look forward to waking up more than I did to sleeping.
Hello. Good morning. You look nice today.
I started to look forward to school, and getting up and seeing people.
I’m so glad to have met you. We’re best friends, right?
My bubble grew and grew and let more and more people in.
Don’t embarrass yourself. Should you really be wearing that? Friendly advice, kid.
It became bigger and bigger and more inviting.
God, you’re pathetic. Can’t you take a joke? Promises were meant to be broken.
But, just as all bubbles do-
I can’t believe you. I hate you. You’re disgusting. I wish we never met.
It popped.
-
And no one’s been allowed inside since.
"Catcher" by:
RACHEL CLARKE