i watched her from across the road as i walked up to the school.

her hair was braided down her back, legs long and lanky but somehow graceful.

i realised then that she towered over me in height

but her gentle manner distracted me from it.

i continued walking on my own shorter legs, more muscular than thin and nowhere graceful.

i'd never particularly liked myself but never disliked myself either.

my body was just there -

short black hair and dark eyes

firm face and small mouth.

my body was just a tool for when i needed to run

to run out all of the pain inside.

i suppose i'd always just been there.

existing but never really living.

i entered the school gates and bumped into Midori, lost in thought.

she laughed and walked with me to the building.

i wondered if Midori was existing or living.