Shelikestobealcme
When she passed by to a table by herself.
That's what they said about her.
When they made small talk with her, and then walked on to their real friends, explaining why she wasn't invited. ShelikestobealcKie
She had being
told
them
Why? To help. To save the
that herself.
new and out of reach. They had looked
signed out in
relief,
them off the hook
discomfort of
so relieved. "Oh," they had
thanking her with their smile. Thanking her for letting
for her loneliness, freeing
them of the
guilt
of her
"Oh," they sighed, indaslanding
solidarity.
She likes to be alone
was more than that though. She hadn't really said it to ease a stranger's protection? Yes, a kind of protection; a conscience. She had one it for wall. A wall that shielded out curious glances and prying eyes, hanging a It
.
sign
.
.
up outside declaring that she had chosen
chosen
it,
then
why was
.
.
.
this.
Because
if she
hadn't
why?
Why would anyone choose this?
To be in the center of noise and activity To be a birch among oaks. Skinny branches splayed, reaching out into empty space. While the old oaks grew above her, branches extended and twining into each other, making a and have
NONE of
it
directed at her.
seamless connection from tree to
tree.
An endless network of touches and
tangles.
Shelikestobealc»ie
She looks expectantly
into a familiar face.
Sometimes they turn away,
pretending they hadn't seen her. Sometimes they smile, hesitant or radiant, is no invitation behind them. She up and assumes a comfortable and confident air. She was doing exactly what she wanted, she told herself
they are always the same. There straightens
ShelikestobealcHie
Rachel Arruda
