Earbuds (Guest Author)

She sits outside on the steps alone in the warm night air. A lonely moth flutters around the porch light above her and the sounds of crickets echo in the dark of the small front yard. She stares blankly at the black river of street that extends out from the grass. She hears the screen door open with a creak behind her followed by an familiar voice.

"You look lonely out here."

He lets the screen door bang shut behind him, then walks over and sits down beside her.

"Want to listen to some music while you wait?"

He fishes through the contents of his pockets until he finds the desired object. He offers her one earbud from the set plugged into the MP3 player.

"Yeah, thanks."

She takes the tiny speaker and easily fits it into her ear, then goes back to observing the sky. He watches her intently enjoying of the subtle grace in her movement, but then turns his head to look at the road. They sit for a few moments. She looks over at him and smiles. He smiles back.

"What are you thinking?"

You're so cute when you smile. "Nothing really. What a summer. I can't believe it's over already."

"Yeah, pretty ridiculous."

They go back to staring at the road. The night is full of sound, but neither can seem to break the silence between them. The song changes.

"What do you think you'll miss most?"

You. "I dunno. The simplicity of it all I guess."

"Right. That part was pretty great."

The taxi pulls up in front of the building. She hands back the earbud and stands slowly, swinging her one small duffel over her shoulder and straightening her shirt. He stands up beside her and shoves the player along with his hands clumsily into his pockets.

"Well, I guess, I've got to go." She attempts another smile.

"Yeah, well, goodbye." He shifts awkwardly and half smiles back.

"Goodbye." She turns and walks to the taxi. I love you.