Wednesday, January 21, 2009

The Cheerleader (published in Six Sentences)

He sat behind her in Honors English, each day studying everything about her – how she casually flipped the hair from her face with a dip and shake of a shoulder and the way she brushed her fingers gently across her neck before raising a tentative hand with the answer to the teacher’s question. The Boy lived for those moments when she would turn around and talk with him before the bell rang, quietly laughing together while he hung on her smile and the things she said; alone at night he imagined walking home with her, sliding his hand inside hers while sharing something more meaningful, aching to matter to her. He noticed how she changed when school resumed after Thanksgiving; the words between them remained the same but her eyes told a different story – one of betrayal and hurt caused by someone she might have once trusted. Though the marks on her skin faded and the waves of time washed away what had been there, her pain never lightened. The Boy longed to find a quiet moment so he could tell her to be strong – not to waste her life trying to get back what had been taken away, but he could not work up his courage. He never found the words; before The Boy could say he was sorry for what she must have lost, she left school and took the fragments of her innocence somewhere new to start again.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

16 comments:
Anonymous said...
Kevin, this is so sad, but beautiful at the same time.
Well done.

Jeanette Cheezum

Tuesday, January 20, 2009 12:40:00 AM EST
Paul D.Brazill said...
Lovely, Kevin.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009 3:46:00 AM EST
Anonymous said...
Wow, that was stunning.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009 7:32:00 AM EST
reynolds said...
Excellent.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009 7:42:00 AM EST
Harry said...
Touching piece Kevin. Sad story but so well told.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009 7:59:00 AM EST
David said...
Beautiful and heart-wrenching.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009 9:08:00 AM EST
Joe said...
Powerful six, Kevin. Well-done!

Tuesday, January 20, 2009 9:16:00 AM EST
Anonymous said...
Wow. Everyone else said it but I'll say it also - strong and powerful. I love how you go right to the heart!

Tuesday, January 20, 2009 11:01:00 AM EST
Robert said...
This post has been removed by the author.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009 3:14:00 PM EST
Anonymous said...
Though I was a girl, I remember that aching to be noticed by the one you had a crush on. You brought that melancholy yearning back in the first half, and a poignant turn of events in the second half. Beautiful writing, Kevin.

peggy

Tuesday, January 20, 2009 3:59:00 PM EST
Anonymous said...
I've been on that side of the coin myself many times. I love the way this piece captures so accurately the emotions and experiences of the trials one goes through while trying to be noticed. This is one of the best 6s's I've ever read. I look forward to future posts.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009 6:54:00 PM EST
Cat said...
Kevin I really loved this, I think I knew that boy and that girl too!

Tuesday, January 20, 2009 8:07:00 PM EST
Anonymous said...
Great. One of the best from one of 6S's best wriers! Each six is better than the last. Good stuff.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009 9:18:00 PM EST
Adam J. Whitlatch said...
Very moving and powerful. Kevin Michaels NEVER disappoints. NEVER.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009 11:07:00 PM EST
Kevin Michaels said...
Thanks very much for all your comments! I really appreciate them-
KM

Wednesday, January 21, 2009 9:45:00 AM EST
Anonymous said...
Kevin-didn't see this til today - lovely and moving from beginning to end. Thanks for a wonderful 6S.
caccy46
Caroline Wells

Wednesday, January 21, 2009 2:13:00 PM EST

Paul D Brazill said...

It is a gem Mr M!