We were outside of the school waiting to get in. The main entrance was blocked off by tall gates so we were queued to enter the gym instead. I was wearing my old blue uniform and everyone else was clothed in casual attire. The day was warm and immensely sunny, and I really wanted to go inside to escape the heat of its rays.

The gym was different than normal. It had been transformed into a large lecture theatre with seats elevated like steps orientated towards one of the gym walls, where a large projector screen was located. Everyone seated themselves. I only noticed those who were from my primary school; nobody from my current school was there.

I sat next to the boy with dark skin that I stole a meaningless object from. We were lectured on different things, prepared again to come back to school after a long, fun summer. My eyes were focussed on the girl with dark blonde hair. I never liked her in that way, but she was attractive so my eyes didn’t move.

The hours got late and everyone one was prepared to sleep. We were left in only our underwear and the lecture hall seats transformed into a smooth ramp on which most people’s bodies lay limp with slumber. There were few of us and we grouped together, leaving a large, empty spot on the ramp where no one lay. I don’t like crowds and I thought about moving there to lie down. But what if they saw my scars? I thought to myself, and chose to stay where I was instead.

I didn’t sleep at all. I just remember caressing someone’s arm with my fingertips, up and down. I don’t know whose skin it was, but they didn’t mind. I wasn’t aroused, just happy; perhaps the happiest I’d ever been. The warm air, the amassment of careless bodies, people united in their sleep as if in death, vulnerable but trusting one another to lay there helpless together, it all made me happy, and I think they were happy too.

It became time to leave. Some people were getting up and clothing themselves. It was in my character to join them so I did. There were multiple of us, but I only saw one face and I didn’t recognise it. I looked back at all of the bodies still there on the ramp, the moonlight giving them a blue tint, and left the building to go to the bus stop.

21.VII.2020