The Gray

A Story by Matriarch

When you finally meet the one your world is no longer gray

Today when I walked outside something was different. The sky was blue like when a baby opens its eyes for the first time, still so fresh and alive. It stood out like a scar like the pain that caused it. The feathery grass had fresh dew on it glistening from the tips. I had gotten up earlier than anticipated but I felt like the sun ready to rise. I felt like I could run 20 miles when in reality I couldn’t even run 1. I clutched my bag tightly to my side and walked to my job. I had been working at this coffee house for more than a week now. It wasn’t my first choice of employment but a job is a job.

I began to put on my apron when I looked into the mirror glaring down at me. Marble brown eyes stared back at me; they reminded me of happy memories of days gone by. My hair was a flaxen color that seemed to glow in the right light. My skin was an olive tone with faint tone of bronze. I looked down at the rest of my body never experiencing or seeing something so beautiful I could barely contain a smile.

My shift started and began my long day of labor. Everything was quite nice besides a woman who wore all pink. I had never really noticed before. Her eyes were as hollow as a naked mole rat and her skin was a pallor color as if she had been sick recently. Her pink hair was up in a bun showing off even more of the creases on her skin.

Nearing the end of my shift an enchanting man came in with sapphire eyes and smooth lips. I could feel my stomach gyrating and my body moving towards his. I did not know this man but I needed to know more about him. He ordered a regular black coffee to go and flashed me an encouraging smile. I slowly began making his drink wanting to prolong our time together as I knew I’d never see him again.

After a vast amount time I handed him his drink but before I could ask him even for his number he dropped his drink to the floor as did he. Everything went silent all movement around me slowed down to an excruciating speed. I could feel my heart hammering on my chest. At that moment I felt no sorrow but amazement by my surroundings. I looked down at him as his eyes bore into mine. I fell to the floor a dull ache in my chest. As I looked at him once more his face was no longer sapphire but black and his lips were a slight gray. My life had lost its color once again