The Dark Tower

The sun hit my skin from the window. Warm. The only warm thing I’ve known for a long time… let’s start from the beginning shall we? It was an autumn day, the air was crisp as I walked down the street in my small town. Home coming was around the corner and all the shops had the spirit of our school plastered on the windows. I was into all of the things school had to offer of course, but I also was alone. I had friends, but none close enough to me that I would rely on. My dad always said how he wanted me to get at least one friend to make a deep connection with, but with what time? I was always keeping myself occupied with other things, I didn’t have enough time to spare. I was in band, choir, honors, and 3 different clubs. My mom wanted me to find love just like she had in school. “Keep your options open honey,” Mom said, “You’re so beautiful! Men would kill for you, women would kill to be you!” I guess she was right, I had dark auburn hair, beautiful hazel green eyes, my cheek bones were beautifully shaped, a cute button nose, big red rose colored lips that always looked puckered, yet here I was. Walking myself to school and home from school everyday. Yeah I see the stares, hear the steps echo towards me in the halls just for a chance to say hello, but I still don’t have the time. “There she goes acting like she’s perfect.” Said a girl as I walked up the stairs of the school “I bet her family paid for her looks. Her hair has to be fake!” Said another “What a babe, if she’d look at me once I’d leave my girl for her!” Said a guy. “Fat chance! I’m pretty sure she looked at me in chem and I think she loves me!” Said his friend jokingly elbowing the other. I’m not sure why I even care, but the comments amuse me. I’m not deaf, yet they talk as if I am. I giggle softly out loud with the thought. “So Ashley, what do you think of walking to class together?” Said Sam “I don’t have time.” I said without even looking up while I grabbed things from my locker. “You never have time.” He said under his breath, “I can hear you, you know!” I said mockingly showing my beautiful smile. I’ve always enjoyed Sam. He was fun to be around the kind of guy that would make you laugh within seconds, but then talk so deeply it took your breath away. He was always good with words, but it was a game of chess with him most days. I would show interest then he’d be stand offish so I’d back off. He would show interest then I’d be stand offish- you get the idea. So, I just decided one day to stop playing the game. “What big brain things do you have planned today?” Sam joked. “My big brain-“ I got cut off by the bell, so I quickly stopped grabbing things from my locker, closed it and said loudly as I walked away, “is going to class!”