BOOM! The gunshot was disguised by the sound of fireworks going off in every way. The beach full of people as far as you can see kept laughing, eating their unhealthy food, and enjoying their - to them anyways – normal summer evening as the bullet slipped slowly through my brother’s left kidney, leaving a gray hue around the breaking of the skin. I saw it all as if I was Spielberg directing a slow motion scene in a motion picture. None of this had to happen. I ran, ran, and ran, as fast as I could. I ducked from one store to the next- hiding behind the Marley beads in the henna shop to behind the fun house full or mirrors of every distortion. I finally thought I was in the clear as I passed the one armed woman working the basketball booth with oval rims. I sat in front of Sunny’s Italian Ice, and let my thoughts race through my head.

How did all this happen? Just yesterday I was a normal teenage kid anticipating my sophomore year of high school. Finally, no more Freshman Friday’s. Finally, I could get my license. Finally, I could throw that big sweet 16th party my stepdad promised! I found a sly grin creeping onto my face as all my worries slipped away, my feet in the sand, my mind visualizing the great opportunities that came with celebrating sophomore year and 16 years on this Earth. I couldn’t wait until that one very special d-

My thoughts quickly came to a abrupt halt.

I heard the footsteps before I saw the shadow. I saw the shadow and ran, but was quickly pulled back by large, muscular, hairy hands. The same thought echoed again and again through the depths of my brain – None of this had to happen.

How far have we dreamed ourselves into unreality that we begin to ignore the greatest of flaws for the worst of our peers? It is getting to the point in society that so many of us are in love with the thought of love, and disguise it by giving it a name and face of one of our acquaintances. I believe we do this instinctively, scarcely aware of what the thoughts of our hearts are telling are brain to do. Too often you see couples young and old fighting for something that isn’t there, that disappeared weeks, months, and sometimes years ago.

It doesn’t even have to involve romance or intimacy. After verbal brawls of put downs and name calling between two former friends, they quickly piece together their former relationship – even though it will never be the same. Secrets have been scattered, trust and promises destroyed.

For these bonds cannot be fixed, only glued and taped. They will never be the same as the original. Awaken your mind and feel what is in your soul, realize what is surrounding you. No matter how much it hurts you both, keep your chin and high and keep on.