Misplaced

300 Word Story

Angel wings rested perfectly in the center of her chest on a sterling silver chain; the type of chain that you’re afraid to wear because damaging it in any way would mean finding a chain that doesn’t match the quality of the locket. Angel wings. Ironic, iconic, and beautifully symbolic. She nervously played with the latch, not even fully realizing what was going on. Something across the room captured her full attention, but what that something was wasn’t distinguishable. Was it the cheesy motivation poster hanging on the beige wall? Or the entangled cords weaving an untraceable path from the outlets to their respective laptops? Not even she knew.

People rambled monotonous pleasantries and ample amounts of Charlie Brown speech in order to satisfy their need for simplistic, two-face social contact. She could barely hear them over the unconscious humming resounding from her throat. One of her classmates shot a glare at her, but she didn’t see. After a few more moments of her unresponsiveness, the boy cleared his throat rudely, breaking her out of her stupor and into an embarrassed silence after she mumbled an apologetic “Sorry, Drew.”

Her eyes scoured the room, trying to find at least one person she knew�"or, at least, identified with. She remained alone, a heavy rush of air escaping her tightened jaw as she rolled her eyes. All she wanted was for school to be over. Of course, the day slowly drew to a close but that’s not what she meant. She didn’t belong at this cliché, clique obsessed school. Her eyes shut as she found nothing that even remotely interested her.

The bell rang. Everyone settled in their seats and she sat, sarcastically content, alone.