XXXII | Pain

❦

I step towards Rowan

and the winged donkey appears.

There's a funny sensation
in my head,
like I've drank too much liquor.

'Welcome,'
it says in a low voice.

I glare at it.

The feeling fades.

I look around me.

I'm not halfway up some mountain.
I'm not in a different country.

I'm still under the rowan tree
by the back gate of the school.

'We're still in school,'
I point out.

'Uh huh,'
she replies.

Walks to the back gate.

'Let's go before we get locked in.'

Eeyore follows her.

'Oi! Aren't we going on a trip?'

She picks up the pace.
Trying to escape.

I run after her.

Grab her hand again.

Nothing's changed.

Her hand is soft.
Her face expressionless.

There's nothing weird around

except the donkey
—but I've already gotten used to seeing it.

The donkey brays.

(I think it's supposed to be a noise of annoyance.)

Its ears twitch.

When we leave the school,
Rowan pulls her hand from mine.

I look up
and see Aspen

across the road.

He grins at us.

At me.
'You came after all.'

I sigh.

'Yeah.'

Hands in my pocket,
'Aeh, thanks for inviting me.

'Since your "real" world looks the same as mine,

'I'm going home.'

I smile,
patronising.

Aspen pats me on the back,
nodding.

'Looks the same huh?
'You'll see the difference eventually.'

Got difference meh?

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