The simmering rays of the sun’s unforgiving morning light beats down through the dome over our city as if our method for protection only maginifies its ire.

Growing up, I’d thought that was why the sky crackled – it was baking under the heat just like we were.

It wasn’t until I came into my powers, while ironically running from physical education class, that I’d learned the truth.

No one was a...

The moon is mocking me.

I just know it.

All full, perky, and shiny, beaming between the slits of my blinds above the headboard, right down in my eyes, taunting me with its radiance.

I guess we’re both nocturnal beings at this point, but at least she got to spend the day napping.

She looks great!

Quite literally glowing.

I wouldn’t even be aware of her harassment if I could just fall asle...

It’s an impossible choice, really. I’m going to be stretched to my limit either way.

Not even hours in the gym could have prepared me for the level of agility I’ll have to enact in order to utilize one of these gas station toilet stalls.

I tilt my head as I assess the mess that’s been left here.

Even leveraging myself against either wall like Spider-Man will stick me with unmentionable substa...

My scoff startles the men that kicked off the wall of the alley as I passed.

I’m sure they’d prefer being called ‘thugs,’ but while bedazzling the word across your shirt certainly adds pizzazz, it unfortunately loses its punch.

I assess them as we face each other, not at all envious of their outfits.

Alright. I lied.

This uncomfortably fancy pencil skirt suit of mine only further confirms h...

Many have tried to find

why the willow weeps.

It’s arms cede to gravity,

weighted by the pain that it keeps.

The shallow roots plainly prove their

displeasure where they’re planted.

Wishing to leave, but as a tree,

it’s one that‘ll never be granted.

Mutated branches impatiently persist,

aiming for the place they resent.

The soil is like shackles, ensuring

their only growth is descent.

So foc...

Brenda makes a noise of complaint as she reaches for me. I shake my head, smiling sadly at my sister as I continue to shove clothes and survival supplies into my pack.

Everything was changing so quickly.

Until earlier, I hadn’t even had a second to consider that staying and accepting my fate was optional.

Brenda’s greasy hair flails in her face as she recoils at my dismissal like I’d smacked her...

Being an observant person is both a blessing and a curse. Sure, I can pick up bad vibes from people before most do, but the wait to be confirmed correct about them feels like an eternity.

Meanwhile, my friends eye me warily, as if I’m constantly searching for their imperfections to pick apart and warn the others about.

As if I didn’t already notice them the moment we met, yet I kept them around...

I’ve decided that journaling is infinitely better than confiding in friends.

The pages can’t stare back at you pityingly, nor gently grasp your hand in hopes you’ll hear them out.

Nope.

Journals accept the world being as black and white as the writing within.

Sometimes even purple, if I’m feeling fancy.

I’ve just about filled an entire bookcase with my reasoning, and ultimately concluded that ...

It’s just unnatural for grown men to have blond hair. There! I said it.

I narrow my eyes at the well dressed blond man, relaxing into a serene expression as he turns his face my way.

His icy blue eyes seem to freeze the remaining warmth for him that I’d fought to conjure.

I can no longer fathom a time when I found them striking, almost hypnotizing in their brightness.

Now, they sear my ski...

‘Public speaking’ has sat comfortably at the number one spot of top fears for decades.

Statistically, I’d be better off in that casket than speaking to a crowd with that ominous box at my back.

And why is it behind me, anyway?

I keep bracing for an undead, makeup coated hand to burst the lid open and tap me on the shoulder before a rough voice croaks, “You’re blowing it.”

The imagined occup...