then i realized that time doesn't change

when i was in elementary school and had the chicken pox i slept in the master bedroom and my mom stayed home to remind me not to stratch. i lied in bed thinking to myself, this is the biggest room in the house and i'm sleeping in it.

there's a tall gothic arch that i walk under everyday right before arriving at my building. it takes maybe fifteen seconds to walk the steps? the other day i'm on my way home and on the other side of the steps, close to railing, there's a boy and a girl holding each other. huddled against each other. very close and very very still. both have their backpacks on the ground next to them. the girl is the height of his chin. they aren't saying anything. i can't tell who's comforting whom. but what else could it be?

today i walked home smelling of library.