The Girl

The sun shone over her face as she walked along the road. There was something special about her that stood out from the rest of the people who were leaving. She looked deep in thought- a happy kind of dreamy thought.
Her jacket was hung over her arm and her other hand held on to her bag. The afternoon sunshine seemed to have given everyone the chance to free from the restraints of their coats and jackets, which created a summery, careless feel around her in particular, yet she still seemed stifled, almost burdened by her bags.
She looked over the wall, down to the river as she walked along side it. The water sparkled with the sun but there was still a chill in the air, on the wind. I watched her as she looked out at life. She looked as though she was joyed to be part of the world. I hurried my pace a little to keep up with her from the other side of the road. I didn't want to look as though I was following her- she was probably expecting to bump into me anyway- but I was enjoying watching her too much. How worry-less she was, it was beautiful to watch.
We reached the end of the road, myself still a little behind her on the other side. Here the road met the main road where the cars roared none stop all day. I watched her turn her head as her pony tail swished catching all the sun's light. She seemed to stop for a moment. Just briefly, and in that moment all the life in her I had admired while I had been watching just seemed to fade into nothingness.
She had slowed to cross the road but there was more to it than that. From my position I could see that her brow had furrowed with a kind of sadness. It could be anything, I thought, she's probably just wondering what she's having for tea tonight.
I followed her gaze, it wasn't wide and dreamy like it had been before, but narrow, focused on something. Someone. There was a girl, stood a few feet away from her. She seemed to be staring straight at the girl. I couldn't understand why this girl had caused such a change in attitude for her. She obviously didn't know her, otherwise they would have shown some signs of recognition surely?
They both were stood at the crossing lights, waiting. Her eyes kept on darting back to the girl before looking to see if she could cross. A man came and stood between the two girls, blocking the view between them. She took a step back, as though she was still watching the girl. What could be so important about her?
I looked at her, trying to find the amazement. She was attractive, from what I could see. I was stood behind her and couldn't see her face. She wore a black coat that stopped about mid- thigh and blue jeans. She wore flat shoes on her feet. Her hair was about shoulder length, it looked as though it had been cut recently. It was a blacky blue shade that didn't shimmer like hers, but danced a little in the breeze. She didn't dazzle, but she was attractive.
There was a break in the traffic, but the lights still showed red for pedestrians. The girl left the pavement to cross and she followed her to the island in the middle of the main road. The island split into two that lead to the different sides of the next road. Each girl forked off, one on either side. Again, she looked across at the other girl, now a little further ahead. She quickened her pace. I still didn't understand, why was she following this girl?
I kept up with her, watching. The other girl crossed the road so she was back infront of her. I saw her face and the mixture of joy that the girl was so close to her again, and maybe fear, fear that she could do nothing about it.
She kept up, just a few paces behind the girl, it was obvious to anyone that she was following her. I wanted to call out her name and ask what was going on. But part of me would rather leave it, and watch to see for myself.
They both reached the corner of the road and turned left. People seemed to appear out of nowhere and they separated the girls. I could tell even from behind that she had sheer determination to catch up with her again. It looked as though she blanked out the crowd, the passers by- not noticing there were people under her feet. She pushed past them weaving in between them. Again she caught up with the girl, I was right behind them now, just a couple of people in front of me, separating me from her. She was so close to the girl, but the girl turned and she crossed the road, across the tram tracks.
She slowed back down. Her shoulders relaxed. She had given up. I reached out and put my hand on her shoulder. With a startle she turned to see who it was.
"Are you ok?" I asked. She blinked and paused for a second.
"I thought somehow I might see you..." was her reply.
We both stopped and I looked at her. Her gaze was gone though, over my shoulder. I put a hand on either of her shoulders
"Who is she?" I asked
"Did you see her" she whispered "She was beautiful"
"I saw her" I blinked, still looking at her as she stared right through me.
"I... I thought you might. I wish I could be like her"
I began to walk, taking her hand
"Come on"
She too began to walk, still looking across at the other side of the road where the girl was waiting for the tram. I looked too, for the first time I saw the girl's face, "Reminds me of someone" I said.
She looked at me for the first time.
"Me too"

X