"I would gladly stay behind to let you escape." It was a tense moment as eyes clashed with each other and fingers tightened into their palms. Their hectic escape against the cold wind brushed their hair over their cheeks, sticking to the sweat of anxiousness and angst. 

Her lips grew into a mocking smile, tilting her head to the small window beside them. The moon shined against her pale skin, and her heart pounded against her deep breathing. 

"Then you'll be the hero, and I'll be the villain." The hunting dogs barked loudly through the night, echoing against the tight hallways of the tunnel and their owners' footsteps grew closer and closer by the second.

"Hope," his fingers were freezing cold, brushing against her cheek and tugging her hair slightly. "No one is the real villain here," he pressed her head against his chest and rubbed her arms. "But we don't need both of us getting caught."

"You should run," it was a whisper. "They already saw me, but no one knows you're here." Hope gripped his collar and pressed her fists against his skin. "Kyle, go!" 

Kyle could see the flames dancing behind her eyes and the heat spreading along her body. "What are you thinking?" 

She smiled, "Go." 

As he neared the end of the tunnel, he could feel the heat exploding behind him. His tears ran down his cheeks as the group of escapees watched him silently climb down the exit. 

"Let's go." His voice was barely heard against the chattering of the escapees, both worried and angry. "Hope..." Kyle paused, hearing the voices of the people. We're going to die now! How are we going to escape? 

The floor trembled and their bones shook, Kyle's yellow suit glowed eerily and his tall figure loomed over them. "I said.." His hair stood up from the current running from his fingertips to the earth beneath his feet. "Let's go." 

Survive, Hope. 

A simple call is all I wanted.

The confidence and hope rushing away

Fading into nothing but disappointment

And with every announcement,

Eyes watered and dried.

Another failure I've added in life.

I wanted to smile. Smile at the joy in their faces at their announcements, 'I GOT ACCEPTED'. But I could only muster a nod and a thin smile. Bitterness swirled deep within me, and jealousy turned its ugly head, mocking me at my failure. You thought you were going to be chosen? Who were you kidding?

I had hoped I would be the last one to be called. I hoped I was the last one, and it came true. But not the way I wanted. I was the last to not be accepted. I felt like the outsider, a black spot, within my group. Hasn't it always been like that?

Embarrassment rose to my cheeks as I tried to hide my trembling lips and watery eyes, but I'm sure I didn't fool anyone. I didn't fool anyone with my uneasy smiles and awkward shrugs of 'It's okay' replies. It's okay, I failed. It's okay, I tried.

How do I soothe my heart? How do I soothe my mind?

It's okay. It's not the first time. There's always a next time.

"It's going to rain."

She looked at him with a queer look in her eyes. "Rain?", Hope laughed quietly, the sun heating up her skin.

Her eyes drew close against the bright sun, her lips wide in a teasing smile. "You're insane if you think it's going to rain now."

"You don't smell that?", He drew her hood over her hair and pinched her cheeks. "That muky smell?"

Hope felt the blood rushing to her cheeks at his gesture and rolled her eyes, "I'll believe you when I see it."

The next thing she knew, they were both soaked to the bone as they ran for cover.

"Do you believe me now?" She looked up at his sparking green eyes and laughed incredulously.

"Yeah," a soft whisper. "I believe you."

She'll never see the rain the same way again.

Oh God. What were they doing?

She could already feel the heat rushing up her cheeks. Her eyes were wide, watching the movement from behind the shelf; the book she took, held loosely between her fingers.

Hope felt the thrumming of her heart, her mouth wide at the sight. She followed the tangled legs up to playful fingers, and she swallowed hard.

"Enjoying the view?", a whisper brushed against her ear, a hand coming up to stop her scream. She whipped around, her book within his grasps and her back pressed against his chest.

She met eyes with the man. Oh God. Hope waited for the floor to swallow her whole. To save her from the embarrassment, but to her chagrin. It simply laughed at her expense.

The giggles from behind was all she heard, her heart beating quickly against her palm. His hand on her lips was all she could think of. Oh God.

He was smirking at her, he was laughing at her. "Shame on them, right?" His breath caressed her skin, her eyes fluttering at the feeling. "Doing such a thing in a library?"

Oh God. Her skin was still heated from the scene. His head tipped down with sparkling eyes, "Should we follow...?"

Her body moved on its own. A startled gasp erupted from her lips, and the couple in the back scrambled to get away. Oh God.

Hope ran as fast as she could, her heart running a storm. Adrenaline rushing through her veins, "Oh God."

All she remembered was those sparkling green eyes.

"Hope," she barely heard his voice through her exhaustion. But she turned to greet him just the same.

His tall figure stood before her, the parking lot empty and the sun setting in the sky. "Why are you here?" It puzzled her, through the daze she wondered how she looked in his eyes.

Did he see the bags under her eyes? The slump in her shoulders? Or did he see the facade that she so desperately tries to keep afloat with slight smiles and cheery eyes?

His lips spread into the crooked smile she once loved. "Is that really the first thing you say? I haven't seen you in so many years." Hope knew this, of course. It's been two years since she last saw him. And oh! How he has changed.

Her eyes wondered over his figure with broad shoulders and nimble fingers. His collarbone sticking out a bit too much for her liking, and as her eyes traveled to the bundle of hair tied behind his neck; her lips twitched, fighting off a frown. I can barely recognize you, Kyle.

"What else would I say?" She didn't mean her sharp tongue, her stomach twisting at the stunned look on his face. Yes, I did.

She smiled then, mustering up a cheerfulness she didn't feel. "I'm kidding, K. It's been a while."

Kyle watched her steadily, her discomfort showed as she shifted the balance of her body. "I'm just waiting for someone. I'm their ride home."

"I see," the silence that came between them was awkward. "I bett-"

The warmth that engulfed her surprised her into a gasp. Hope felt his arms wrap around her shoulders and tug her close into his chest. Her arms hesitantly touched his waist, confused at the sudden intimacy. "Kyle?" It's been a while, but the comfort of his hugs always made her lighter.

"Why do you look so lonely?"

Her eyes dropped and her limbs slacken. The words in her throat dried up and her fingers dug the inside of her palm. Because everyone comes and goes.

"It was nice seeing you," Hope backed away, clearing away the tightness in her throat.

And as she sat in her car, his words echoed in her mind. Why do you look so lonely?

There was no excuse that she could give for the tears that betrayed her as they ran amock down her cheeks, or the sobs that choked out of her throat, clenching her stomach and tightening her chest.

Her wounds were still fresh.

Words are not enough

To define what I feel

Words are not enough

To describe what I see

An ever shifting world

Something beyond me.

How many words would

It take

To scream what's in stake?

I just hope that it's not too late.

It drew her in.

The creaking sounds of the wooden floor under her feet, only made her excited. The windows letting in scratches of light, flashing before each antique.

Her eyes scanned the corners of each wall, spiderwebs hanging on the faded paint.

"You hit the jackpot, Hope," giggles seemed to pour out of her lips. Her eyes dancing with happiness, "These are so be-au-ti-ful!"

The dust lingered on her fingertips, her hands filled with precious pictures. How much would they sell for?

She was hungry for old and rugged things, to make them even more beautiful in her eyes. And maybe, even sell them for a hefty price.

Just the thought made her grin wider.

Her heart skipped and with palms against the wall, she heard them. Voices and footsteps coming from outside. 'I saw someone go in. The person was just acting odd and it struck me in a weird way, so I just had to call you, officer.'

Hope's eyes grew wide and panicked. Yikes. Not what she needed.

Her fingers quickly took all she could carry, and shoved them deep into her bag. Her head popped out of a broken window, her shoulders struggling to push through.

'Are you sure, Miss? I don't see anyone here.'

Hope made her way out, taking deep breaths. Her eyes dilated and her hands shaky.

"Hey, you! Wait!"

Gripping the insides of her pockets, she flashed the officer a concerned look, "How can I help you?"

"Have you seen someone go into this house? Even though, it's abandoned; It's still private property." There was suspicion in his eyes, but her lips were sealed. Because sometimes, Silence was her only friend.

"No, Officer. I'm just passing by," shoulders up in a shrug, she fluttered her eyes. "Out for a stroll, you know?"

Even though they each went their ways, she could still feel eyes upon her back. Her teeth gritted together and her fingers stroked the photo in her pocket tenderly.

"I know it's you," the voice was familiar, and healthy legs stepped in rhythm beside her.

A faint smile spread across her lips, and a chuckle escaped. "I don't know what you mean."

The rain echoed against the pavement, and eyes clashed.

"I'll let you off this time." The determination in his voice gave her shivers.

"And I won't say a thing." Her eyes glistened and her teeth shined against the peeking sun.

Her clothes were wet, and her hair was starting to stick out. But her day only looked brighter.

"Where have you been?" Her mother asked from the kitchen, and Hope only smiled.

Sometimes, Silence wasn't her only friend.

It's okay.

Her breathing was shallow, and her fingers shook. Her eyes laid uneasily on the letter that lay on the passenger seat. Why am I here?

It was Ryan's end of summer party, a reunion of the graduate 2014 class.

A foot touched the ground, her fingers leaving the wheel. It's been a while since she saw them; never truly being one of them, she was casted away after they all graduated.

"You invited her? Why?" The screeching made her pause, the wall hiding her figure and her shoulders tensed.

"It's a polite gesture, Lillian. Hope used to be my best friend," it stung her. It really did, even though it was the truth. Ryan and her used to be so close, and then life happened and interests changed.

"Besides, she probably won't come. Why do you even care?", Hope heard the carelessness in his voice, and bowed her head to hide her trembling lips. What friends do I have?

"You know no one likes her," she conviced herself that the roaring sound of the music was the cause of her heated skin and erratic heartbeat. Hope leaned in to listen to a response, but the silence that followed made her stomach drop. Should I leave?

The letter in her hand felt heavy. She bought the card as an afterthought, the words written in it were in her heart for a long time. After many calls and excuses, it was time to say goodbye.

"Oh, you came." Ryan sounded stunned and surprised to her ears, with wide eyes and gaping lips.

Hope drew a smile to her lips, and tilted her head in greeting. "I surprised myself too."

The hug felt fake and forced to her, after what she just heard. Maybe it was just her feelings that made the exchange feel detached, but it made her heart uneasy and her resolve harden. "I was going to stay," a pause. "But it's late and I know where I'm not wanted." Her eyes dropped to the letter, and Ryan shook his head to deny her claims.

But she knew better.

"Here," her letter was her last words to him. She hoped that he would actually read it. And as she made her way to her car, her heart felt lighter but her shoulders were tense. How would he react?

"You were a good friend, Ryan.

Thank you for the fun times."

It was the point in her life, where change was inevitable; and she wasn't sure how she felt about that.

Her eyes watered as she waved goodbye to her beloved mother, watching her weave between the crowd with her luggage dragged behind her.

"Why is everyone crying? It's making me depressed," a grumpy mumble broke her thoughts. Her sister looking uneasy, and a forced smile spread upon her lips.

"What do you expect? You're moving States and are going to live away from everyone," she wasn't sure how to comfort her sister anymore. Because even she felt sad about this fact, and was certain that when the time came, she too would be in tears. No longer will her sister be in arms reach, instead she will be 4 hours away and $120 airplane ticket expense.

And as she watched her sister's back, a deep breath escaped her lips. What other changes will you bring?

It was a dream.

Her eyes grew wide, her mouth dropping slight. Her hands shook, feeling clammy.

"You okay there?" A beautiful deep voice rang in her ear, her mind laughing sweetly. She could just imagine her heart fluttering her eyes, waving her fingers seductively. Her fingers curled pleasantly, her world spinning.

"Yeah," she was breathless. Never in her wildest dreams did she imagine, she'd be standing before him. He was so out of her league, her mood dropped slightly. "Thanks," his hands were firm as they helped her up.

He smiled, his dimples spreading on each side, "I'm sorry. Everything's been so hectic today." To emphasize, her ears rang with the shouts of the crowd.

"Yeah," she felt sad. Sliding her fingers away from his grasps, she rubbed her sides. "Don't worry about it," she smiled in what she hoped to be in an endearing way. "I've always been clumsy," a short laugh. Please don't go. She yearned for more time.

His laugh made her swoon, her ears flushing red. "What's your name?" His eyes curious, running over her wild hair and high cheekbones.

"I'm," the shouts were getting louder.

She felt the tears swell up in her eyes, the fireworks blocking her voice. She saw his friends tug him away, his eyes apologizing. "Hope." Her voice trailed off, watching his mouth move. Sorry.

A sad smile seemed to spread along her lips, "Me too."

The rain blurred her sight, the fireworks booming behind her.

"It was nice meeting you," her fingers clenched. Her eyes smiled, "Logan."