At recess, I sit down and lean up against the aging fence that surrounds the playground
I watch as my friends climb on the "spider web" and escape the "hot lava" by hanging from the monkey bars
They race each other down the slides
Playing tag, trying to see who would be successful in completing their made up obstacle course
Never before has those twenty minutes felt so long
Tears start to form and smear across my cheeks
I feel invisible
So I sit there alone
Watching the clouds in the sky transform due to the wind
I come up with animals to match their shapes
I close my eyes and listen to the sounds of my classmates screaming and laughing as they trample the wood chips beneath their feet
I listen to the squeaking of the swings being pushed by a gust of wind
I practice writing my signature on the cement with a piece of broken chalk, using my opposite hand
Then I just sit there alone
Waiting for the bell to ring
The cold air pierces my skin
Pulling my knees to my chest
I hide my vulnerable face in my folded arms
Suddenly I detect the feeling of being watched
I squint, trying to make sense of the silhouette standing before me
That is when she reached out her hand.