goth and the jock

jake sat with his friends
in the same uniform
with the same lunch
laughed at the same
jokes
tv shows
kids

maddy stood outside with her friends
different clothes
puffed a clove cigarette
didn’t laugh at the same
jokes
tv shows
kids

jake walked home with his buddies
maddy kicked rocks alone
jake came home to love
maddy’s mom is never home
jake went out to a movie
maddy sulked in her room

jake walked to school
with maddy
they held hands
and kissed
and talked
about their love

maddy walked to the bleachers
jake walked to class
maddy bummed a smoke
jake did the work
maddy cursed overachievers
jake yelled at the goth kids

button down shirts
scuffed black boots
perfect slacks
holes in old jeans
perfect hair
black eyes

they walked home
holding hands
smiling
kissing
together
still alone

j-