Our feelings have been written down over countless pages,

But for some reason, I just can't fill in this one line of blank space.

I put in a pressed flower as a bookmark and roll along with you on the bike we found thrown away.

We piled up the bricks we've forgotten and then tore them back down.

We're being pulled to the same level, to be equals. All tired out from having fun

I'm sure that we won't remember the frighteningly blue sky.

-Aoi Shiori

Karen

Smile, that's all you have to do. It's ironic really; the happy people have friends because their happiness shows on their faces. While the sad people can't smile, so people stay away from them. The only way for me to not be alone is to pretend.

Easy enough.

The night after the sleepover, I started to play more with Ike and Ruby. I liked them very much. Ike was very nerdy and dorky. He knew and could understand really complicated things like math and stuff. He really liked video games too. That's what we practically did all night during the sleepover. His favorites were Final Fantasy, mortal Combat, and another one called Eternal Darkness. I was surprised to find that he had a laptop of his own. I mean, why would a seven-year old need a laptop?

Ruby was another story. At school, everyone was afraid of her. Whenever she even looked at somebody's direction, the children scampered off, even the older kids. I honestly could not tell what was so scary about her. Sure, she could be a bit rude and cold and rebellious but not harmful. I admired her actually. She was quite tall for our age and grade. I secretly envied her shiny strawberry blond hair and her very slender-long proportions. She loved girly things and anything sparkly, which made me wonder why she never expressed these interests outside and in school. The more I talked to her the more feminine she seemed to become. She loved her brother so much it hurt, but she would rather die than admit it to him. She had millions of stuffed animals in her room and a wide variety of cuddly pets. But she also watch red racer with her bro and play video games like a pro.

I don't really know how the two, Ruby and Ike, got along. But if I guess they got along fair enough because we shared very precious memories with each other.

The best part was that the other children had started talking to me in a friendly way. Kyle's advice worked like a charm. It's a joy that I can't translate into words but I know I felt it. My summers were not filled with insane boredom or unbearable loneliness. I did not have to confide in her brother for every little thing that bothers her for I had friends to do that with, and sometimes they were more helpful than Kenny. Some of the weight on my chest had finally lifted.

Festival lights, blinding fireworks, colorful fabrics, warm summer air, laughter.

I fix my brown hair up on my head. My mother decorates it with pretty pastel colored flowers. She also covers my small body in a soft lilac blanket. I twirl slowly as it envelopes me with beautiful folds. I slip on my sandals that I hardly wear, pick up my basket, and take my brother's hand.

And one red head waits for us at our door, along with the others. I feel gray beside him, his figure alive and his emerald eyes sparkling with delight. I feel his warm hand on my shoulder and hear him say something.

"This look suits you." He adds a wide smile and has made me feel bright. The warmth from his hand has made its way down to my whole body. Now we were both sparkling.

I wish Kyle was my brother, because I think I love him. Then I could be with him all the time. And we could talk and he would never have to leave.

High pitched squeals and giggles of delight roam around and fill every corner of the earth. We're running booth from booth. We play games all night in the cool grass with the fireflies that keep us company. My hands are being held by my friends. Ike. Ruby. I see Kenny running with his friends. Kyle, Stan, Piggy. (I don't talk to Eric.)

We head back home to sleep over Kyle's house. I yawn as I sit on the couch, watching groggily as the boys and Ruby play video games vigorously. Kyle is next to me taking a break. He whispers funny stories and crazy misadventures in my ear. I giggle nonstop until Piggy snaps at me to can it. I'm so drained that I'm not even bothered by any of it. To accent my indifference, I yawn loudly again. Chuckles erupt from everyone and Piggy scoffs angrily but I don't hear him.

"Kenny, that's your sister right? She's not so bad, even if she is a second grader," says Clyde. I glance over and see others nodding their heads in agreement.

"Third grader actually," I correct lightly. But I don't think anybody hears me. I sigh, content, and lay my head back on the back of the sofa. I nod off already expecting to dream of sweet things…