she rode her bike to school in the morning once it was spring again, one pedal after the other. she was always late anyway. on the days she wore skirts she would have to take along a hair tie to pull the skirt up, so it wouldnt get caught in the bike chain. once she forgot and she had to walk around with black oil stains all day. if she wasnt careful her backpack would rub against the back tire and threaten to take her down.
the dismounts were never easy or graceful. her route went by the new hospital that was under construction, and the scafolding always reminded her of him, by the way he talked to her like a piece of work. that and getting hit on by hobos who were too insane to get a job.
remember to push the pedals if you want to keep going.
the spring breeze and the rushing past of the bike felt like fingers in her hair. after school she would try to ride her bike away from everything, but her water bottle would run out somewhere after broadway.
She only felt like herself when she was alone.



he drove his car in the morning eventhough it was spring again, one gear shift after the other. he was always late anyway. on the days his brother took it out the night before, he would have to take along gas money because it would always be almost empty. once he forgot and he had to push his car half a mile to a gas station. if he wasnt careful he would stall in intersections and hills. the parking was never lucky or convenient. his route went by the new hospital that was under construction, and the scafolding always reminded him of her, by the way she was too afraid to look him in the eye. that and how he needed a job.
with the window rolled down and his hand stuck out, the rushing air felt like he was running his fingers through hair.
after school he would leave right away, and try to drive as far as he could, but he would always chicken out somewhere after broadway.
He only felt like himself when he was alone.