Wildfires
She approached her with a glower. Her hair spilled over her reddened cheeks. With one glance, you could tell that she was a predator with an overwhelming hunger for prey. She opened her mouth and a sharp tongue escaped, piercing every bit of pride and self-esteem that her victim may have had. Each word was seemingly a painful blow to her face because she cowered beneath the bully's shadow and cringed as she spoke. As her verbal beating continued, she looked up, and in that moment her eyes met mine- her helpless, hurt eyes. "Help me," They seemed to whisper, and the longer she stared the louder they seemed to plea.
I tore my gaze from her. Surely she wasn’t looking at me. There must have been someone standing behind me. I looked around. There was no one but the handful of students who roamed the halls in a careless manner, walking in slow-motion, in heedless attempt to escape the boredom that lay beyond the classroom doors. In that moment a pang of realization hit me. Was I such a coward that I couldn't lift a finger? Had I become so indifferent that I couldn’t use my voice and stand up for her? Did I not have the courage to do so?
I paused and thought for a moment on my last question. Most people would think that only the most honorable soldiers and warriors could possess such a thing... and I was one of those people. But I realized one thing, courage comes from within. When the time calls for it, it blossoms and blooms until it becomes contagious and spreads like the seeds of a dandelion... and that’s what I aim to accomplish.
She continued her harassment like clockwork, never missing a vulnerable second to use her weapon- her words. The next time I witnessed the girl fall easy prey to the bully was during our lunch period. People filed out of the lunch lines and swarmed to their posse of geeks, jocks, cheerleaders, and outcasts to gather waifs of gossip and seeking acceptance among "their own".
There she was. Head bowed beneath the shadow of an evil smirk that looked down on her. Her hands were folded in her lap and her eyes were closed tightly. Maybe she could wish the words away if she tried hard enough. She looked as if she were praying- desperately. "Leave her alone" A voice rang out. The cafeteria fell silent with a hush. Did I say that? All eyes were on me. "Leave her alone," I repeated in a shaky voice. "You have no right to do that." I said, my voice gaining confidence the more I spoke. I heard a chair scratch against the linoleum floor with a deathly high-pitched scream. It sounded like nails on a chalkboard. "Yeah, you need to stop being such a bully. You wouldn't want those things said to you, would you? It sickens me... the way you act towards her." A boy said as he rose from his chair. More voices chimed in. One by one, we all took a stand. Not just for this one girl, but for all of those who were voiceless.
I guess it was true. Courage does come from within. Even when you think you could never find it, it always shows up at the right time. Courage does blossom and bloom when the time calls for it, and courage does become contagious and spread. But it spreads more like a wildfire, catching those in its path ablaze with the hunger for change and devouring the fear that would hinder it from happening.