9. Listen (Creative Writing Portfolio)

Listen

She sits there in the crowd of people, feeling as alone as ever. Things are different now. No one is the same as they use to be, and neither is she. Years have passed, and yet she still grips onto what once was rather than what is or will be. Afraid of what could be and wishing for what might be, she sits and does what she does best.

Listens.

          Everyone spills their secrets and regrets onto her fragile glass plate that has worn thinner and thinner over the years from her own silent baggage, along with that she has taken upon herself to help others with.

          And that was her weakness.

          She has the rottenly sweet habit of putting others first before herself, when at times it’s her that needs the help. But that’s not what people see. No one sees the pain she suffers through day to day. No one sees how her heart sinks every time she tells people she is “fine”. No one sees the tears she can’t hold back any longer the second she walks through her bedroom door.

          Everyone sees the mask she puts on; the smile that she gives back to the world. Everyone sees her as open minded, and goes to her for a set of ears to talk to. Everyone sees the struggles she goes through, but they continue to accept her answer that she is just “fine”.

          So she sits there in the crowd of people, feeling as alone as ever. She puts on her best smile, masking the pain she feels inside. She slowly loosens her grip on what once was and cautiously turns to what is or will be.  She begins to forget what might have been, and looks forward to what could be. The light at the end of the tunnel finally showing through the darkness.

          And she continues to sit and do what she has always done best. Listen. With a sliver of hope that one day, maybe one day she will meet that one person who will do just that. Listen.