Acceptance

I stood in the middle of a river of muddy water. I stared at my feet as the water parted around them, the drops glistening in the sun. The rains that had flooded the Johnson's house had returned, covering one street over entirely in water.

I glanced behind me. Still no sign of Austin. One second we were talking, then he was gone.

Someone called out to me, asking if I wanted a ride home. No, I didnt. I wanted to wait here and see if my best friend would come back to me.

I stood there for a long time. My feet grew numb from the constant pressure of the water. I lifted up a foot and the current pulled it downstream.

I looked behind me again. Nothing but an empty street. I guess I should have figured. We hadn't really spoken in months, why would today be any different? But he had looked like he wanted to talk to me. We had had a kind of conversation. But then he had walked away with Gavin and left me behind.

The sky ahead of me grew dark. Lightning crackled across the sky.

I reluctantly headed for home, holding my shoes in my hands as I walked through the gutter. Maybe we weren't supposed to be friends anymore. Maybe I've been too stubborn to see it.

Raindrops hit my head and rolled down my neck, causing me to shiver. I turned my face up to the sky, letting the rain run down my face, mingling with my tears.