Prism

The park benches were such nice and peaceful places to just sit and ponder during the evening hours. The only disturbance is the occasional shuffling from someone else walking or jogging along, a sound that quickly gets lost into its own monotony. I open my eyes and take another sip of juice from my can. Then I looked at the time and realized it was getting pretty late. Gulping down what was left of the juice I threw the can into the dustbin and proceeded to retrace my steps back home.

Reaching a flight of stairs I slid down the hand-rail and then proceeded to my cycle. I took one last look at the park. The trees were beginning to bear their autumn colors, some of the older leaves already giving way to the occasional breeze.

Pedaling through the town felt relaxing in its own way, in part because I knew exactly where to cycle for the ride to be smooth as well as quiet. Criss-crossing through the streets also invoked a sense of thrill that can be hard to describe, somewhere between riding a rollercoaster and a racecar. However, sometimes I forget that a cycle can easily cruise at its own speed, so not only did I tire myself out but I brought myself to a stop as well.

"Melinda? Mel!" a voice from beside me called out.

I turned around to see a girl waving towards me. She seemed about my age, although that was probably a given considering she knew her. She was wearing a small backpack and had a camera slung around her neck. I strained my mind, who was this?... Then I remembered her name.

"Alicia! What's up?" I responded cheerfully.

"Oh, I was just wandering around town looking for things to photograph, what about you?"

"I was at the park clearing my head,"

"Cool. Oh, I heard you were joining the editorial committee,"

"Yeah, just gotta figure out how to accommodate my other duties, then I'll be in action,"

"Ooh... Can't wait to be working with you."

"Looking forward to it as well. Well, see you around." I said as I pushed down on the pedals.

"Yeah, see you..." she called back as I watched her lift her camera to catch a shot of me taking off.

The remainder of the journey was easy on me, not only because I remembered to cruise but also because a good part of the distance was now downhill. I soon made it home. I parked the cycle and made my way to the door. Unlocking it, I peeked inside.

"Mom?" I called out as I stepped in and closed the door. No answer, probably out shopping.

"Dad?" I called out, then immediately remembering that he was on a business trip.

Shrugging I made my way up to my room.

I walked in, then paused in the middle. "Why didn't you answer?" I said.

"Because I'm not the one you called for," came the reply from the girl sitting on my bed. "What are you thinking?" she asked back.

"Oh... wouldn't you love to know?"

"Yes, yes I would. Marissa, what were you thinking just randomly telling Manas that I'm rejoining the editorial committee? How am I supposed to juggle both the administrative and-"

"Oh, blah, blah, blah... See? This is another reason why nobody likes you, I'm sure. You just excuse your way out of anything 'excessive',"

"You try handling the pressure!" she screamed at me.

I made a wry smile at her, "Hmm?"

Melinda's eyes widened out as she shook her hands, "No, forget I said that,"

"I don't know Mel, the way it's going I might just have to take all the pressure," I said sitting down on the bed as well, "you know I'm better suited for it."

She turned away from me. "What are you doing? Just get out of my life."

"I'm afraid I can't do that Mel, at least not that easily,"

"Marissa, you aren't even real..."

"You sure? I had a nice conversation with Alicia on my way back from the park, she didn't have any reservations,"

Melinda gasped. I inched closer to her.

"No... Stay away from me..."

"I can't be away from you... I am you," I said as I hugged onto her.

As I firmly held onto her I could feel her shaking, possibly fighting back tears.

"Why is this happening? Make it stop..." she despaired.

"There is a way to make it stop..." I said, then pulling towards her ear I whispered "give in..."