"from the busy parks
to the icy tides
someday we'll decide where we want to live out our lives"
rocket bokan sleepily opened her eyes as the train braked to a stop. it had been an hour and a half ride and she had slept off most of it. the cool november air greeted her as the doors slid open and rocket stepped onto the platform. it was a monday - around 10 am, and the station lacked its usual crowd of people hurrying to work. in fact, it was quite empty, to say the least.
as she looked around quickly, rocket threw on her hood and put her earphones in. sometimes all you need to keep yourself company at an empty train station is your favorite song on repeat, she thought to herself. honestly, that's all she needed at times like these. it kept her sane and pushed the bad feelings away. she took out her ipod, pressed play and waited for the screen to light up, but after five seconds, nothing happened. rocket cursed to herself for forgetting to charge it the night before. guess i'll just have to be alone with myself this morning.
rocket's destination this monday morning was central park. it took her two trains and ten blocks to get there from her brooklyn residence. the fall semester right after high school was a time of uncertainty and idleness for rocket. does society really expect a 17 year old to know what they want to do for the rest of her life and commit the next four years to that hasty decision - just to end up in a boring office job and have all of that money and studying go to waste? let me find my true passion in life first.
hands stuffed deep in her coat pockets and ears empty of a morning soundtrack, rocket climbed the stairs out of the train station and paused before crossing the street. a stream of taxi cabs halted as she made her way to the other side of the street with the other pedestrians. as she reached the entrance of the park, she stepped on to the grass that marked the official start of her destination and looked around. it was a brisk but sunny autumn morning and from across the streeet there came a soft wail of a saxophonist hoping to earn a few dollars. rocket looked straight ahead and began to walk further into the park.
