This short story was published in the Young Voices Magazine 2018
She was the definition of oblivion. She lay on the grass, eyes up facing the sky. The children around her played until their feet went limp. She appeared strange, people staring longer than they should. But her mind was even more peculiar than what everyone else saw. Inside, she daydreamed every second she had to spare. It didn't matter if she was in the middle of nowhere or if she had to get out of her house just to get her mind working. Every day, every month, her mind was filled with new dreams and kingdoms were constantly breaking and rebuilding every second of the day. The dreams just kept getting bigger and bigger and bigger. It kept her going, and the thought of serenity at the end of the day just made her feel even more blissful. After all, there wasn't anything else that made her happier than to create and imagine new universes in her head. It was exhilarating.
Unfortunately, being oblivious to everything meant that she was oblivious to everyone. She didn't notice the peering eyes that stared at her while she lay under the evergreen trees. It was good that she didn't feel embarrassed and was able to do whatever she wanted without regrets. But it also meant that she overlooked every single person who had wanted to befriend her. She was too busy with herself. She was too distracted. Of course, when it mattered she paid attention. She paid attention in class and in family discussions and in situations where if she didn't pay attention she would be in trouble. But in those moments where she was free, she didn't want to be anywhere else except her mind. And while she was in her mind, she didn't pay any attention to anyone or anything else.
Alas, she knew. She knew with all her mind that all good things must come to an end. In this case, her good things were her daydreams. And she knew they were destroying every opportunity she had ever come across. It was like a drug, it gave her time away from reality. She was addicted. Unlike any other drug, this drug was not really affecting her health. It was affecting her mind. The thing she loved the most. She had to stop. She had to let go. Let go of the feeling it gave her when she was upset. Let go of all the universes and galaxies she had been able to live in. And most importantly, let go of the friends she had created for herself. For her obliviousness was killing everyone around her. Even if she didn't touch them, she was unintentionally affecting them. She had to let go. By letting go, she knew she would save them all. They wouldn't have to stare at her anymore. They wouldn't have to wait for her to wake up from her daydreaming.
So she would let go. It was best. And in an instant, she did. And as she let go, the hospital monitor that had been slowly beating let go too, letting out a monotone, straight beep. The silence that followed had been deafening, even though they all saw it coming. They had lost their vibrant, ecstatic girl. But at least they knew she was soaring in whatever universe, whatever kingdom, she had decided to live in as she decided to let go.
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