hey baby

stopping. frozen where i stand, like a tree, like a deer in headlights, like any other overused metaphor. movemovemove

but i can’t.

where’re you going?

nowhere. i am nowhere, i am nothing, i am nobody. i am as tiny and insignificant as a grain of sand. pleasepleaseplease

don’t notice me.

he starts walking

sharp. the feeling of my fingernails cutting into my palms, the storm of anxiety brewing in my stomach and head. dontcrydontcrydontcry

but it’s too late.

hey! don’t ignore me!

burning. my eyes sting from the effort of holding back a torrential downpour of frustration and fear. goawaygoawaygoaway

thank god.

he stumbles back to his friends

they’re all laughing

what a funny game it must be

when you’re not the one in danger

how hilarious it must seem

when you don’t have to fear for your life

what an amusing story to tell

when you’re not eleven years old 

in your own neighborhood

just trying to walk home