A High School Campus

Beyond the tennis courts and soccer fields
I wait closely by
The sun beating down, searing the concrete campus
Breathing in, a moment of relief

I wait for this time of day
To catch a glimpse of you
After school hours
Your arm wrapped around another

Scenario after scenario, I imagine
What could I possibly say
Endless thoughts consumed my head
If only I had the courage

Nothing ever becomes clear
My mind refuses to conjure the right words
As you and your friends cross my way
Perhaps I’ll come up with something another day

Week after week, month after month
It seemed like it was never the right time
To say what’s on my mind
My heart wished to tell you under this blinding, sunny day

My heart wished to tell you on this dull, average day
If only you were alone once in a while
People most predictably tend to share the same fear
This lucid fear of being seen alone

But I knew I was much better off that way
It didn’t matter what I looked like to you
As long as you heard me laughing when I walked by
Hoping you’ll look up with curiosity

Airplanes soaring idly by
I look up, asking the empty clouds
And beg them to take me away
What’s the point, if you’ll never notice anyway

On this dreary late afternoon
I crave your smile, your laugh
Your eyes meeting mine
My favorite past time

Of course, how could you have known?
When I hid behind worn-down buildings and nameless faces
And embodied a careless attitude
Was it even half your fault things stayed the same?

Time seems endless when we are kids
Hiding and playing pretend is our favorite pasttime
Now all I’m left with is memories of you by the hallway
And they burn brighter than any reality.

—By Jocelyn V., 19, San Diego