Around 2016 Jocelyn and I were swaying into a woodsy area
singing the only song we knew together with
cups in our hands. Our minds are in the same space
but apart from the world.
Around 2014 in fourth period earth-science class I hear
the teacher say to pair up in groups. There’s no one
I know until the moment I saw you, my soul collided
with yours in this grey room. I said yes to forever
with you.
Around 2004 my sister is telling me I will be going to the
juvenile detention center after chasing her around
the house with a broken picture frame. I call the
police out of fear of her actually being right; I
get a lecture from the police to not call unless
it’s an emergency.
Around 2015 Jocelyn and I bought a Guinea pig and did
our best to give it an average life. The heartbreak
of the death caused us to become closer.
Around 2012 I celebrated my friend’s thirteenth birthday part.
As it was time to leave, I kneeled to tie my shoe and
could not get back up. My knee had locked, and my dad
carried me to the car.
Around 2016 I was falling down a hill with my friends running
behind me. I lose my shoe in the grass and Jocelyn
kneels in the rain to give me her shoe. She walks the
rest of the way shoeless to keep my feet dry.
Around 2013 I am stuck on the top of a Ferris wheel with
Cayla, and we are waiting to get off. We see something
unforgettable stuck to the gate of the ride. We get
off the ride and I never talk to you again, because
of your new move.
Around 2018 I went to the orchard with Jocelyn expecting to
get a picture of us together. After the tractor ride
to the apples, we are fighting in the long lines of
trees. We leave and agree to be on our best behavior
the following year.
Around 2022 Dad is in the hospital for months. He does not
have long, and I have school to focus on. When
everything was falling apart, he gets the liver
transplant, and nothing is normal after this point.
His personality has gone from humorous to flat.
Around 2021 I was reunited with him after years of having
him blocked in my phone. A friend turning into a
lover after I see him for the first time since and
my heart stops. I shouldn’t be having these feelings,
but it doesn’t go away.