Learning Life
Here I am, sitting in the far corner of the room as other kids talk about their summer plans. I am nothing but a ghost to them, a shadow who follows others, wanting only but a voice to speak and a sense of belonging. Countless times have I tasted the light, but only to have it slip through my fingers. I start to think that maybe I was meant ot live in darkness, forever cursed into solitude. A voice speaks to me, seeking me through the black shroud I hide behind.
"Come child and cast aside the darkness. Let the light embrace you and give you the power to make yourself be seen," it says to me.
"But I will only be cast back into the darkness. I cannot trust others to anchor me to the light," I say, grabbing tightly to the darkness.
"Then you must learn to anchor yourself to the light. You must learn that others are only there to strengthen your bond to the light. You are the only one who can make yourself seen in this world," A warm hand reaches out for me, beckoning me to embrace it. I think about what the voice had just told me, starting to come to some understanding of its words. I reach for the hand but the darkness pulls me back, refusing to let me go.
"Do not doubt yourself child. Let go of your past fears and look to the future. There you can make for yourself a better world where the clouds are forever blue and the sun shines brilliantly," I look glance back at the darkness that kept me in solitude for so long and think to myself, is this what I want? No...I want friends, I want to be someone, I want my voice to be heard! I grip on tighter to the hand as it pulls be from the darkness, bringing me into my haven.
"Hey, what are you doing over the summer?" I come back to reality and see the boy I secretly like sitting next to me, giving me a warm smile. I want to hide and pretend he's not there, but I feel a strength surging through me as tell him all about my summer plans, him nodding and smiling at me.
"Wow, that sounds like fun. Do you...um...want to hang out sometime this summer?" he asked me.
"Sure!" I said, nodding my head vigorously.
"All right, cool. Hey, you want to meet my other friends?" he asked, getting to his feet and lending me a hand.
"Okay!" I agreed, taking his hand as he led me to a group of kids nearby. He introduces me to his friends and we were soon all laughing to some jokes we shared.
"Hey, what do guys want to do after school?" the boy asked, looking around for suggestions. I had a great idea and hesitated at sharing it, thinking no one would listen, until I felt that same strength coming back to me.
"How about we go to the water park? I heard it's supposed to be really hot this afternoon," I said, everyone nodding their heads and agreeing. The bell rings and we all set out for our last class, agreeing to meet up here after school and plan out our afternoon. I turmed to leave when I felt a peck on my cheek, seeing the boy I like winking at me before leaving. I touch my cheek and smile. For once I had friends, real friends, not the ones who promise to be your friends and leave you for better ones. For once I had a sense of belonging, a permanent one. And for once I was acutally seen and heard, not just glanced at or ignored. I was becoming who I wanted to be. I didn't need others to sculpt me, I can sculpt myself. I can have friends, I can be someone, and I can be the voice I am. This...is me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6fviwUS7sk
http://www.sofurry.com/threadview?threadid=11138]Dragons Lair This is Me-Challenge