I hear their cheers, loud, pressing,
a constant drone in my head,
whispering of nameless rewards.
I see their exuberant faces, flushed, expecting,
crying out to me for more, for it, for it all.
I laugh along with them, loud, confident,
questioning myself, unsure, afraid,
but I go ahead anyway.
I do it, my arm swings wide, I let go.
I’m not proud, but they are.
They cheer me, they smile,
they offer suddenly, the acceptance I crave.
Their smiles, envelope me.
Their cheering hands pat me on the back,
congratulating me for a job well done.
I did it. It echoes in my head, like a bitter taste left behind in my mouth.
I did it. I smile and laugh as they pull me along with them.
A cheering, laughing crowd.
Ignorant now.
Having completely forgotten the teary, four-eyed geek with the bloody nose,
slowly picking up his books off the pavement behind us.
