"No,"" I lie, swallowing the lump of sorrow that has lodged itself into my throat. I haven't hit a wall: I have been at that wall for the last past days now, banging my head against it, maybe hoping that if I hit it hard enough, the wall will crumble and fall. And once I realized I could turn around, another wall, sturdier and taller than any other barrier I have ever faced, stands there. The wall looks down at me with a deriding stare, its silent laughter bursting my ears ".
"Shana!- A chocolate brown hand waves in front of my eyes, behind it the worried face of my best friend Malachi Johnson. "Are you okay?- The taller boy's face full of concern, full rosy lips formed in a slight pout, eyes thoroughly searching mine. I could never lie to those beautiful hazel eyes, so full of concern for something as worthless as me. I can't stand it anymore. I break our gaze, focusing on something much more comforting, like the flawless cocoa- colored skin of his hand, now resting calmly on my arm. How could anyone ever hate something so beautiful, something so full of love, happiness and color. With a wistful smile, I reach out, unaware of my own actions, rosy fingertips almost touching the baby-soft skin. Malachi's skin gives out radiance of light and live, making my pale pink skin look bland in comparison. It was as if his skin soaked up every drop of color, putting even the rich, life-giving soil to shame. This boy had to be an angel from God himself. .
Suddenly, in a swift motion that would make even the fictional Harry Potter jealous, I swoop my journal up and uncap the expensive pen Kai gave to me as a Christmas gift last year. I write furiously for a few minutes, then sit back to view my work. Perfect, I smile to myself. The boy, obviously confused, tilts his head to the side. "What have you got there?- he asks in his soothingly unhurried way. .
I smile to myself, lean close to his ear, and whisper, "I know something you don't know.