The anger had been bubbling up inside of me all day, just waiting to lash out. Being happy seemed like a distant memory. I mean, who would be happy when you are so out of sight that even your family does not notice when you are not at the dining table? And so, when a kid from science class framed me for something I didn't do, the kettle boiled over. Looking back, running out of the classroom might’ve made me look more guilty, but I wasn’t there to check. And it wasn’t just out of the classroom I ran. I remember it distinctly, even though I was controlled by my anger. Or maybe, it was something higher than my anger, something controlling the whole story. I ran out of the science lab, across the soccer fields and ovals, and out the front gate. If I was thinking rationally I would have never even thought about leaving school. I’m not a bad kid, see, just misjudged and framed. Out the gate and into the streets, I ran. Darting in and out of the backstreets, running blindly until I stopped. There was a lake. Even now, I can’t really describe the wonder of it. The transparent waters reflected the surrounding pine trees, the ripples danced and spun, enchanting me, making the world drop away. But more than that, the birds. All sorts of birds flocked and gathered above the enchanting lake, dancing and prancing, twirling and whirling, spinning and swaying, creating a heavenly display in the sky. After everything that happened that day, I felt free. I felt like I was flying with these birds, dancing with these birds, in sync. This was my place. Where I belonged. Not with all the people crowding the school, but here, with these birds. I don’t know, I must’ve sat there for hours, mesmerised. And I would’ve sat there for more if the sun hadn’t disappeared below the horizon. For once, I understood the meaning of ‘Time flies when you’re having fun’. And for once, I had something to look forward to the next day. The next school day was just as hard physically, but mentally, something inside of me had shifted. I now had the birds. Something there to keep me standing. Something I could lean on. That was my new routine. After school I visited the birds. For hours I sat fascinated. Then, when the sun dipped low into the sky, I knew it was time for a new day. It was that routine for weeks. Maybe months. I felt at peace with the birds. I could get through anything as long as I had the birds. Until something came into my life that I couldn’t ignore. Something fell and blocked my path forward. I could not go onwards, could not go further. Even the birds could not help me. No animal could. I needed a friend and fast. Anyone who knew me, any one from school wouldn’t work. But I was desperate. The car accident had changed me. Pa not being here hit hard. Not just on me. My whole family was falling apart. And I am still what I used to be; a fading outline. I swear, being invisible is nothing like what it is in the movies. It’s painful, being wallpaper. And when your family is breaking away, you can’t do anything to help. I hope that the car accident wasn’t part of the master plan. Days, Weeks, went by, each day without Pa digging into my soul. I used to be able to cope with the issues flung my way, but I’m different now. It was all getting too challenging and I realised that now more than ever, I needed shelter from the harshness of life. And the only shelter I’ve ever found was the birds. Going to the birds will only partly help, offering only a third of shelter, but that’s the best I can come up with. It is not a permanent solution, just a partial one. Something that could pull my heart back together enough to create a good solution. One that helps not just me, but binds my family together. Off I went, ready to immerse myself in the relaxation of the birds. My thoughts were zipping around in my brain tangling and intertwining, which most probably was what distracted me from what was sitting in front of me. Or rather, who. I was sitting down when I saw those eyes. Those eyes of despair, of grief, that I have only seen before in the mirror. In those eyes I saw longing, friendship, someone who was treated unfairly. Neither of us said anything for a long time. In that moment I had no idea of how powerful friendship was. And how much this kid would mean to me later on. Looking back, I am so glad this moment happened. That two worlds collided. That was the moment when I met the person that would help me, guide me, to a better life for me and my family. Whether it was my anger, or fate, that guided us together, or something controlling the whole story, whatever it was, I am so pleased that this was how my story played out. Our story. A story of connection. A story of friendship.
I made this 2 years ago sooo
