prose by Melissa Toro Vargas
2:04 pm
Here I sit on the hard, damp concrete.
My classmates attempting to avert their gazes,
As to not be awkward.
And me scrolling through apps on my phone
Randomly, trying to do the same.
2:19 pm
I text him, “Where are you?”
…
He replies, “ I thought your mom was picking you up.”
I respond, “She didn’t.”
…
Those dots seemed to flicker for an eternity.
2:21 pm
He sent a text, “ Ok, I’m on my way.”
Then another, “I'll be there in half an hour.”
2:22 pm
“I’ll be waiting.” I said under my breath,
Bitterly.
2:39 pm
Although most students leave at 2:00,
The overachievers aren’t dismissed until 2:45
At the earliest.
2:42 pm
A group of friends laughed as they entered the car and drove off.
I envied them.
3:07 pm
Twenty-five miserable minutes later,
He arrived.