S Y D N E Y
♥ ♥ ♥


From the shadows of a corridor I watched the animal life. The beasts grouped together around various wodden constructions, or else sat quietly on the grass. yes, a perfect comparison wa smade between the teenagers milling about during lunch and the wild animals roaming the african savanah. We had the lions - loud, proud, strong and arrogant. The graceful gazelles warily hiding away under the scrutinizing eyes of the lions. Zebras laughed and gossiped in herds. There were other animals lurking too around the playground, but I could not place them. they hid, like me, away in the shadows.

I slid down the wall I ahd been leaning on and winced as my bum hit the hard concrete. I hoisted my bag off my shoulders, and lay my head against the coldness of the supportive wall. I loathed this place, yet I could not escape it. I was stuck here until the holidays, perhaps even longer. I was sure that home would be worse than this. I ahd no friends, no company. The few people whom I did get on alright with preffered to go off and do their own thing, alone. They were not like me, and I would never be like them. They were too quiet for my taste, but the animals basking in the sun were far too boisterous. I didn't belong here. I was the only person here who was anywhere near like me.
Or so I had thought.

The day I had formally met Daniel Thomas, Tiger, had been an interesting one. For once I had thought that I had met someone at leats similar to me. I was so sure of it, yet there was too much distance between us. The gap could not be easily filled, and so nothing much happened. He refused to shake my hand even, yet why had I expected anything more? I was a loner, destined to be that way. I suppose even if I met someone remotely like me, we could never be friends. At the moment, at least, thats how it seemed.

I lifted my head and once again turned my gaze to the courtyard. It was a sunnt day, mcuh to my distaste. I shrugged my horrid grey jacket off and wrapped the arms around my waist. The concrete was comforting, like stone marble, yet I felt a strong desire to find the shade of a cool tree. That way I might be able to catch a cool breeze. But what tree wasn't yet inhabitated by someone? I glanced about at the foliage, but found none that was empty. yet, one had only one inhabitant, which attracted my attention. Perhaps they wouldn't mind sharing their piece of shade? I gathered my things, stretched, and stood shakily up.

I made my way over to the tree fairly quickly, although clumsily, as I tripped over someones foot. I quick muttered "sorry" and I moved on, unabashed. I squinted up at the clear skies, wishing to see some sort of salvation. Yet no clouds splattered the sky, only a clear canvas of blue. Sighing, I slowed down as I neared the tree.
With a small smirk I scrutinized the figure underneath it. A girl, with chetsnut locks, with a book splayed over her face. I resisted the urge to laugh at her. Perhaps she was sleeping? Hoped so, then at least she wouldn't care who shared her tree.

I walked into the shade, and dropped by bag onto the bouncy emerald grass. I sat, crossing my elgs neatly. For a few moments I started absentmindedly up the the swaying leaves, fiddling with some thread on my black jeans. This year was going to be the same as the rest, boring and stupid. I would still be the loner, drifting through this life. I sighed again, and rummaged through my bag for a red apple. i bit into it, and galnced over at my sleping companion.

Yeah, I'm a loner.