The Shadow Effect

one

one

She was concealed,

invisible to wandering eyes

that peered above the open crowd,

looking for a any familiar face

that did not belong to her.

Everyone had somebody,

she had nobody.

Students stared past her,

roughly shoving their books into

the empty seats

saying that their best friend

was sitting there.

Teachers ignored

her every addled questions

picking on the dozing jocks instead,

even if her waving hand was the sole raised

in the sea of hushed voices

alone.

Alone.

Precisely the way she

was meant to be.

It was only the assurance

of reticent cries almost like foghorns

wafting from the restrooms

signaling blindly

that she did exist.

If only somebody could see. . . .her