Her Name Was Alice

In the evening, we'd watch the sun fall over the river. Though as soon as those streetlights came on, we had to rush home to avoid the wrath of our parents. I often would stay up wondering how she was. I'd wonder about all the pain--emotionally and physically--she would constantly be in. I often found myself craving the sunlight, signalling the start of my daily cycle with her. 

It wasn't until I turned fifteen that I realized I had fallen for her. She was perfect in beauty and in grace. A beauty that the rest of the world had ignored. I found myself tongue-tied around her, never knowing what words to say. What had seemed so easy before had turned into something I'd never felt. My stomach turned in knots and the butterflies kissed my heart, increasing it's beat whenever she was around. I had only hoped that she never noticed my nervousness. Our sunset watches became silent until the fourth of July, where we shared our first kiss under the fireworks of freedom. 

Not knowing what it meant and not understanding what I felt, I became attached to my friend. I never did figure out if we were more than that. We continued our lives as if none of it had happened, though I remember the increase of bruises and scars on her arms. She'd been risking her mother's fury to see me at night. 

I still remember the familiar red and blue lights flashing through my windows. I remember sneaking out my window to see what had played out at my friend's house. I can still see her bloody face to this day. I screamed her name, but her face did not turn. Her eyes did not brighten at the sound of my voice as they used to. Her body lay limp and the bruises on her arms were revealed. I could barely make out her skin color from the groups of black and blue. 

I remember this night as the last time I kissed her. Though this time it was goodbye, not goodnight. I knew that I'd never forget her. I knew that I'd never be the same person after that night. I hugged her tightly and didn't want to let go. A victim of abuse, she was only a caged bird with a year left until she was free. Her feathers were torn from her being, but in place she gained wings. But something my mother said has stuck with me to this very day.

"Heaven has gained an angel." And at this, I would smile. Because I knew this angel. And her name was Alice.