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Second Chance
Short
 Created on 1-29-08
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Second Chance
I
Those mystical eyes twinkled, an ocean of rich blue blurred on a faded black canvas. She strode with an immeasurable amount of confidence through endless fields of overgrown weeds and sunflowers. Though many have tried, none have succeeded in taming her.
I would sit on the old wooden fence every day after school just to watch her. It was like she waited for me. She was the mystery of the town. No one knew where she came from. No one knew where she’d been. She just was, and she was always there. In a sleepy, little, off-the-map kind of town like this, no one expected her to show up like she did. Oh, but I thought it was a miracle when she came. So, that’s what I named her: Miracle.
Her beautiful hair, even disheveled by the summer breeze, always looked perfect strewn down her neck and back. She hadn’t a care in the world, the way she trotted so free and openly. Her black coat, always glossy, protected her in a curtain of darkness from people and wild animals. She felt safest around me. I’d sit on the fence, and she’d gracefully stride up to me. I’d trace the white star on her forehead with my fingertip. She’d tousle her mane about, and I’d comb it down with my fingers. It was soft, yet sleek. I didn’t know if she belonged to anybody. I hoped she didn’t. I was new here; she was my only friend. Over the course of a month, we had bonded like sisters. Then one day, she disappeared.II
Memories still come and go, fading and resurfacing like a camera adjusting focus. It’s funny how someone could have a perfect life and not even realize it until it’s slipped through their fingers like sand. About a year ago, anything I could have dreamed of was at my fingertips. Now, it’s all a blur of solemn faces and “I’m sorry”’s.
Ronan is an unforgiving town. In a school of 400, 399 are clones. Tan skin, blonde hair, and perfect bodies grace the front page of every newspaper, magazine, and flier rolling off the production line. Naturally, a fiery redhead such as myself sticks out like a sore thumb.
One good thing about this place, however, is Nature. The rolling hills and vast plains are full of life yet still retain their peaceful atmosphere. The grass cushions you while the sky is your playground. The cricket’s songs lull you into a soft summer daze. I like to think that’s why we moved here. The real reason is, unfortunately, the harsh reality I have to face: the City. My father took “job hunting” to a whole new level when Mississippi just wasn’t big enough for him. But, enough about moving here. What happened here is what really changed my outlook on everything.III
I consider myself an artsy person. Artsy people don’t let many things bother them. They’d much rather concentrate on little details of simple things and figure out how to capture what’s floating around in their mind on a piece of paper, whether it be with a pencil or paintbrush. Here, however, is much different. People’s first impression of you is based solely on your appearance and how you present yourself. Quite frankly, I could care less what I’m wearing as long as it’s comfortable and can be easily accessorized with my turtle necklace. No, it’s not a family heirloom, and no, it’s probably not worth more than two Washington’s. But, it’s special to me because I’ve had it since the first day I discovered my artistic abilities. Now, I never leave home with out it.
Anyway, I’ve never exactly fit in with the “in” crowd. So, I didn’t expect hugs and kisses from my fellow peers on the first day at Brambshaw High. I also didn’t expect the insults and whispers that were secretly thrown at me behind my back.VI
“Meek Mabel,” or, “Twig Legs,” they called me. I guess the names suit as well. I don’t really pay attention, so I come off as a bit shy sometimes, and I’m naturally thin. People’s comments about me sort of brushed off like dust, though. Everyone assumed they could just trample all over me here. Everyone except Kaden. Kaden was one of the few who actually tried to befriend me. He’s in my art class (go figure). We talked. A lot. I really liked him, too. He asked questions about me that I never dreamed anyone would ask. I didn’t even know the answers to some of them then. I still don’t, now. Around him, I could just be… me.
My turtle necklace was one of his favorite things about me. He said it made me unique. I never wore it to make a fashion statement, and I told him that. He’d just nod, like he did every time I told him that, and continue to stare at me. His crystal blue eyes gave me butterflies. Every time he glanced at me, I’d be star struck. They were amazing compared to my murky green ones. He seemed to love them, though. He’d always compliment me on them.He loved my name, too. I didn’t. “Mabel” just seems so… happy and not me. Nonetheless, he was fascinated by it. And I was fascinated by him. Until I made one of the biggest mistakes of my life.
V
It was like any other day, I guess; kind of soggy and muddy outside from the storm the previous night. I had been walking through the halls, generally ignored by the majority of people. Every so often, though, I’d get these looks. It was like a shocked yet disgusted look that seemed to say, “Her? What’s so special about her?” I tried to ignore it like always, but it was getting to me. Had I done something wrong? Was there a pimple on my face? Did I forget to put on underwear?
I was going to fin out, but first I had to go to my locker. On the last number of my combination, the locker next to me slammed, creating a sound almost equivalent to a sonic boom that buzzed in my ears.
“Hey.” It was Kaden.
“Hey. What’s up?”
“Nothing much, really. I just wanted to ask you something.”
“Yeah, what is it?”
“Well, I remember back a few months ago, I used to see you almost everyday sitting on that old fence by the abandoned field. What were you doing?” I contemplated this question a bit.
“I was visiting an old friend,” I said with a half smile.
“Well, why don’t you go there anymore?”
“I have no reason to. She’s gone.”
“Where’d she go?”
“I don’t know.” He just stood there staring at me for a few seconds. The awkwardness was bothering me. Luckily, the first bell rang.
“Hey, I’ll catch you later, K? See you at lunch.”
“Yeah, see you then.” As he rushed off to first period, I stood their wondering why he would have asked that. I didn’t think anyone saw me or even cared when I went to see Miracle. Apparently, I was wrong.
VI
At lunch, he stayed in his own world. Very few words were spoken. I felt weird. It was never like this. We always had something to say. I asked him if he was OK, and he’d just nod his head. He was thinking about something very intently, I could tell. I figured it out a little later.
While I was walking home from school, I really wanted to know what was on Kaden’s mind. Something had seriously been bothering him. I heard a rustle behind me. I turned around quickly but saw no one. I turned back around and almost jumped out of my skin when I saw Kaden standing there. He had the look of determination in his eyes. They sparkled more than normal. He was itching to spill something; he was right on the edge.
“Mabel, I really like you; you’re so unique. And I was wondering something. Would you go out with me?”
VII
It’s darker than normal tonight. I’m sitting on the front porch, my eyes swollen from the salty tears they tasted earlier. All of that happened weeks ago. So now I’m writing in my journal of all the terrible things that have happened in my life since moving here. I really liked Kaden. But when he asked me, I froze up. Then, out of sheer panic, I ran away. I just turned and started running. I didn’t even respond. He’ll probably never talk to me again. I can live with that. I’ve been rejected nearly all my life. What’s so different this time? What’s different is that I liked him too. The nerves just got to me. He probably thinks I hate him. Gosh, why do I have to be such an idiot?
I set my journal down on the side of the porch and picked up my sketch pad. One thing that hadn’t changed is nature. The scenery is still breathtaking.
I ran my fingers around my turtle. It felt cold in my warm hand. While studying the trees, I saw something white out of the corner of my eye. I quickly snapped my head in that direction. Out of the bushes comes a figure. My heart starts racing. I hear…..trotting? Oh my gosh! It’s Miracle! She came over to me, just the same as the day she left. I was stunned. I extended my hand to her forehead, tracing the star with my fingertip. I heard more rustling. I looked over. There stood Kaden. He was just standing there staring at me and Miracle.
“That yours?” He asked a bit confused. Then, a smile spread across his face, and he lightened up, walking over to me. I smiled back and gripped my 50 cent glass turtle. Everything was going to be alright. I’d been given a second chance; my life was perfect again, back to normal.
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