SYDNEY LIAO
Eleven Years
The second she opened her eyes, a tomato-red and wailing creature, they wrapped her in a pale pink blanket. Fluffy, precious, and made of wool, it was soft enough for an infant to cuddle, but tough enough to last a lifetime. They named her Ruby, after the fiery red stone then hugged her and kissed her strawberry-stained lips In preschool, she fought over cars and trains with boys. And during break, she played “monsters” and “police” instead of dress up and princess games. In first grade she played tag and ran around, while the others jeered at her in silky pink tutus, garnished in sparkles and little golden crowns. Then came second. She went to school in shorts and black t-shirts and went home daily with paint-smeared fingers She read about dinosaurs and galaxies far away And dreamed of being an astronaut. Third grade. Fourth. Fifth. Sixth. She grew from a lively girl from a field of daisies, into a shadow among the regal pine trees Carrying a ripped backpack on beaten shoulders and baggy dark circles beneath once silver-now-rusty eyes One day, there was no girl. Just a pink blanket, made of wool. But nobody ever wondered how something so tough can only last eleven years. |
Sydney Liao is a proud Gryffindor with a passion for reading, writing, photography, and music.
She reads anywhere and anytime--at home, the grocery store, restaurants, while waiting at track meets, etc.-- and is often found taking pictures of nature, books, people, and her dog. Sometimes she daydreams about her favorite characters (especially fictional boyfriends), and cries over good books. When she should be asleep, she is writing, putting the thoughts that never end into words. |
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