I often wondered sometimes, if anyone were to see me cry today would they care? Would they tell me to get stronger and move on? Would they ignore it, or think I had a handle on it and leave me to myself?
   I often wonder do they see the hurt that I feel constantly inside? Can they see the voids in my heart and soul, which nothing seems to fill? Can they hear the screaming my insides and mind release every time when the pain becomes just too much?
   I often wonder does anyone know how I feel? Do they know how to end this endless loneliness and agony? Does anyone care?

Zac kicked the toe of his sneaker against the sidewalk's concrete. Okay, so he wasn't what everyone thought he was. He wasn't always on the go. Wasn't always hyper and active. Truth be known, he was tired, frustrated, bored, and in some serious need of a long moment of quiet and alone time. Maybe even find a friend who didn't care about his status, but about what he thought and felt... maybe

Taking in a deep breath, Zac tipped his head back and let the sun warm his face. Well, actually the sun wasn't technically shining. It was behind some clouds. But he could pretend! His imagination worked! In his mind it was shining bright in a brilliant blue sky with only just a few white puffy clouds.

Taking the time to pull the bill of his cap down further, Zac turned his attention back down on the pavement passing under his feet.

Shrugging his shoulders to move his backpack to a more comfortable position, his mind voluntarily began to wander. Don't step on a crack, or you'll fall and break your back! Singing it in his mind, Zac's feet started hopping around, trying to avoid the deep cracks.

Stopping he smacked his forehead, Doh! His mind shouted, "I stepped on one." He muttered aloud before laughing and continued walking.

His eyes became transfixed on the pavement again. Hmm, maybe I should start counting my steps?

Taking a few seconds to concentrate, he started, One, twwwwwo, thrrrrrrrreeeeeeeeee, fooooouuuuurrrrr, fiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiive, siiiiiiiiiiiiiix, seeeeeeeeeev…

He crashed into something hard. Ooomph, He shook his head quickly, Eightnineten!

Thinking he knocked into a sign or small tree, Zac rolled over, only to hear a small ouch.

I don't ever remember a tree being able to talk…well, those one's in cartoons and some movies do... remember Wizard of Oz? Jessi loves that one. Shaking his head he started to get up, You so missed the whole part of knowing that real trees don't talk, moron. His mind scolded.

Looking down he saw a small girl, lying sprawled out next to his book bag. Quickly he checked his watch, "Shouldn't you be in school?" He asked stretching a hand out to help her.

Her bottom lip trembled as she stared up at him. Oh, crap. Zac thought frantically. I've hurt her. His eyes closed a second as he sent a prayer to God. Please don't let me have broken a bone. And please don't let her charge me with sexual assault!

"You got a name?" He asked slowly, his hand still extended towards her.

A tiny shaking hand grasped lightly onto his, "Seraph." She murmured softly.

She said it so quietly Zac barely caught it, and wasn't so sure if he actually caught the right one. His head cocked to the side as his hand tightened on hers and pulled her carefully to her feet, fearing that he might break her. She's so small!

She flushed under his stare, and shifted uneasily; quickly he snapped himself back in control. "Sorry." He apologized lamely, Way to go, half-wit!

Giving a weak smile, her head nodded slightly and she turned to walk away.

She's leaving! His conscience shouted. Involuntarily he shouted, "Wait! Sera!"

Startling her, she jumped violently. Turning around slowly, almost translucent blue eyes stared back at him. They were so light in color; it was almost impossible to determine if they were in fact a blue color.

Squinting he tried hard to find out, "I asked you a question before, and you never answered me."

Her bottom lip was sucked into her mouth as she gnawed at it.

Zac sighed and repeated his question, "Aren't you supposed to be in school?" Calmly as he could, he turned to pick up his bag, handling it with extreme care.

Sera shook her head, "No. I don't go to school."

"You homeschool then too, huh?" He asked pulling the bag's straps over his arms and again onto his back.

"No." Her head shook a little more.

His eyes narrowed, "Why not?"

Her eyes looked around dazedly; her shoulders shrugged carelessly, "I just don't."

Okay, so she wasn't normal. "You have to have school!" He voiced loudly.

Sera stared at him, her gaze curious and wondering. "Why?"

"To learn!"

Her thin lips broke into an amused smile, "You don't learn in school. You learn in life."

All right, so she had a point! But still, she had to go school! If he had to so should she! His head shook, "Every kid has to go to school. It's like a law or something."

The smile stayed on her face, "What law? Human law?"

"Yeeeeeeeah." He answered nodding, unsure.

Her shoulders shrugged, "Does it matter that much to you that I don't go to school?" She questioned curiously.

He stared and thought for a moment. His head started shaking again, "Well, kinda, but not really."

Her smile brightened, "Walk with me?" She asked softly, holding her hand out to him.

Thinking for a few seconds, Zac reluctantly took her hand in his again. Cautiously, he followed as she led.