This Game Has Rules, Does it not?

The music from the teenage lust fest vibrated behind the glass of the patio, an annoying backdrop to a possibly heartfelt reunion.

“You dyed your hair…looks nice.”

Spencer’s head titled to the side, a familiar gesture that Ashley had not witnessed for some time. Spencer used it as an invisible physical act of affection, much like touching someone’s arm or patting someone’s back. It was saved for those she cared about or cared enough to want to care about them.

The last time Ash had witnessed its presence was during lunch time about a year back, during the end of the spring, when the birds seemed to swarm, encircling the campus like vultures in search of a victim, sensing the poor creatures helplessness from hundreds of feet above. Spencer was sitting on the grass, Aiden oddly nowhere in sight, her skirt tucked underneath her legs, pieces of caramel hair framing her face. Her placement was strange, in the middle of the football field behind the track after school, right near the 40-yard line. Ashley watched her secretly from the above the stands above, Spencer a tiny speck in the enormous sea of green.

A tiny bird circled her head, and raised its wings against the wind, resting softly on the grass beside her. Spencer had looked up making eye contact with the bird. The two sat, staring for what seemed like minutes, Spencer’s head tilted to the side, the bird not moving…just, resting beside Spencer.

As if the desired comfort had been gained, the bird took flight. Spencer’s head followed it through the sky until it disappeared into the trees. She then gathered her books and left.

To assume that Ashley was the only witness to this precious act was entirely self-serving, as was the thought that Spencer had ceased this action altogether. But Ashley knew what it meant and why Spencer did it, so it was fair for her to put weight upon this specific moment that lay in front of her, one which Ash her courage and hope, two vital components that would ultimately keep her head above ground.

“Thanks.”

Ashley’s eyelashes batted nervously, however making sure her that Spencer could not hear the maddening rush of liquid that was rushing through her body.