stale air

ear-abusing chatter

pimple-faced teenager in an ugly red jacket just dropped a tray of popcorn

i feel guilty for laughing



group of girls over there

they just put on make-up in the bathroom

they watch for the boys who

they overheard talking about coming here tonight in lunch

the girls practice making surprised faces

i remember being thirteen



i am standing in a movie theater lobby

feeling so very ordinary

my feet hurt

we are two hours early

and danielle sits on the floor at my feet

leaning against the wall and her head is back

her eyes are closed

people are watching her pretending that they aren't, but wanting to know

what this beautiful girl is sitting on the floor for

and should they, too?

will it make them beautiful too?

nope.