Ripples (interlude)
The lake moves in such a beautiful way. The ripples in the water move like a dance. Flowing to a song that only the lake can hear. Singing along. Whispering to me.
Rain is falling over the water, distorting my reflection with beautiful ripples. Drops dancing on the surface. I can almost see the reflections of the stars, pulling me into the water.
I’m standing in the lake, water up to my ankles. I can feel the ripples dancing over my feet. I can feel the rain drops hitting my skin, wetting my clothes, dripping down my face.
I think I’m crying. Tears mixing with the cold water.
I should be cold, but I'm not. I feel nothing but the water. Soft, welcoming water.
Is my Ophelia under these small waves? I wonder.
I take a step forward. The rain is whispering to me, drops falling with my tears.
"A Black never cries." My mother would say. But she can't see the tears. For all she knows, it's just the rain, dripping down my face.
I almost see her face in my distorted reflection. That familiar feeling creeps into my stomach, and I step back out of the water, forced back into reality.
The castle waits quietly for me. My bare feet squish in the mud as I walk back up to the dreadful school. I feel cold now, the rain stings as it hits my face. My beautiful moment is ruined, but my tears still fall with the rain.
The image of my mother in the lake is still in my mind. Even miles away, she can still haunt me.