Walking Home
by: Orio
My shadows are fanned out beside me, each a certain degree from the other, surrounding my left side. I’m watching the figures on the ground; head down, pulling a hoodie tightly around themselves with a backpack banging against the backs of their knees. Imagining that the outside world is noiseless and there is nothing around me. It bothers me to think someone else could be slinking around on these dark streets tonight as I walk home. I’m trying to let the music eat me, I’ve been thinking too much today, walking around school with tight lips and heavy eyelids. When I have my mind on something I tend to get this expression on my face that makes me look… pissed. I loosened up by the end of the day though; somehow hanging outside in the freezing cold at a bus stop with your boyfriend can end up being real fun. Still, behind my big dumb eyes, I was thinking and caught my mind traveling in the weirdest directions. I’m not quite sure why I was so tired today and lost in thought. In Oriopolis 
Now, I can’t keep my mind off the fact that my cheeks are so cold. The wind just sort of rushes over me and bites the tips of my fingers holding my i-pod, Jack, and that bitter air chews through my hands into the back of my head. I’m starting to think of things again but…
Let the music imbibe me. Drink me up!
First it’s, “Float” by Flogging Molly.
Then, “Float” by Modest Mouse.
Now “World at Large” by Modest Mouse.
I’m surprised no Muse has come on yet, and what’s with all the floating?
Something’s going on with Jack, maybe it wants to float away 
naw, that’s silly. Maybe I’m supposed to want to float away. No. What if I don’t want to float, stay well grounded and clear minded? Stern and focused? Like things used to be, bound to the ground? No. I don’t want that, not at all. Doesn’t mean I want to float away though. Neither wanting chaos nor consistency, I’ve concluded I’m just indecisive.
And I think too much…
There we go, “46 and 2” by Tool.
Streetlights are peeking over my shoulder and shining on my back. I’m looking at the ground now and watching my shadows bleed into each other; looming over, sinking into, and creating a single and thick gray form on the concrete. Looking closer to see the shadows beginning to weave in and out of each other, I’m half tempted to spin around and watch them line up and disperse over and over again. I won’t though too cold.
Thank Goodness! I’m finally up to my house door. I knock on it and, while waiting for someone to answer, I draw a jellyfish on the sidewalk with some damp chalk. Mom opens the door, it’s so warm inside; I step in quickly, kick off my shoes, drop my backpack, and sit down.
“Hey,” my sister says, “Will you go to the store with me?”
Damn it.