ONE

She wonders often.

How does the world work?

Is it a string of randomly

intertwined lives,

destined for the inevitable?

yet at the same time, 

so spontaneous?

When she was younger,

she ran smack into a boy

with silvery blond hair

who became her best friend-

and it was a typical story

that she wished had never

ended.

She had basically barreled 

straight into the the poor boy,

with the grace 

of a flying starfish

wailing at the thought 

of being late 

on the first day of school.

Maddie laughs.

But now she cannot help

but remember

how shy his smile had been,

how his forth grade self

always had 

the softest of laughter,

how his the light

in his bright grey eyes 

danced with happiness

at the sight of shooting stars

and starry nights.

Her eyes refocus

on the television screen above her.

It is the boy,

with the same old silvery hair

and light grey eyes.

But his smile is cold

and there is no longer a light

that dances in his eyes.

Flashes of lights and cameras

whirl around him

as he makes his way down 

a crimson velvet carpet.

Ashton Parker,

was what they called him.

She flicks off the television,

and gets back to work.

the smoothie shop is empty.

She wonders too often.

And fate is an asshole

with a very poor sense of humor.