The Man

In the metallic darkness see myself. My reflection is hunched over; this illusion allurs me... like the rain to the earth below my feet.
I suddenly wonder if he thinks I am trying to join eyes with him. I feel self-conscious, he must think I'm desperate. For attention. For a smile. For a glace over the sholder.
Why am I so focused on his sunglasses, or what he thinks of me? I should get home, my hair is soaked. I'm shivering in the cold, but he doesn't offer me his umbrella.
His strides are swift and precise. Admiring. I don't find the courage in myself to look up from my miserable, beat-up Converse. Will he even acknowledge the pathetic teenage girl leaning against a craftfully grafittied brick wall that I call "Me"? He's a man.
Obviously, he has places to be, people to see. I wish one of those people could be me. He's a wonder. I wonder if he is smart, I bet so. I wonder what color his eyes are. He's beautiful. I wonder if he's married. Oh God, there's a ring on his finger. A wave of mixed emotions rush over me. I feel guilty, sorry for his wife, but also jittery. The butterfly's wings erupt into a patter, I feel h-a-p-p-y.... and light enough to walk on clouds.

Little did I know this man would play a huge role in my life.

Picture and short story by Sophia Manco
Song for this post is Love Would Do by Jason Mraz

He and I

I saw us. He and I, spread out near the rumbling waters. We were laughing, hearts reflecting the sun.
I remember what happens next.
She, with her dark, tumbling hair and cotton dress sat on the other side hiding behind a spindly tree...gilded eyes bore into me.
I felt her stare, he did as well. We didn't know who she was... or so I thought.
His face became solemn, he called out her name. She started to rise from her place.
With a quick glance over her shoulder, she began to flit away. Her ran after her, screaming to her, pleading for her to return. They disappeared into the forest, and I was left behind.
 Intensity rolled down my face.
Short story and picture by Sophia Manco
Song for this post is I Will Follow You Into the Dark by DCFC