Strangers
Strangers.
They’re peculiar people, aren’t they? You know nothing of them and they know
nothing of you. Two people cross paths and, in most circumstances, never meet
again. But sometimes, by some sort of dumb luck or fate (whatever pleases you),
these two cross paths again. While they still know nothing of each other, they
can no longer be labeled as strangers. They’re not quite acquaintances because
they have yet to share words with each other, but they seem to be strange
acquaintances.
Then one
fateful day, one strange acquaintance smiles and mouths “Hello.” The barriers
have been broken and before either knows it, they have stopped to comment on
the weather. And that’s where it all begins. The conversations grow more
interesting and the pair asks questions about what each other likes to do. Soon
the conversations cut lightly into the subject of one’s family. It soon becomes
obvious that the pair enjoy talking to each other and that they enjoy being
around one another. Both friends gradually spend more time together.
They spend
time before classes talking about great nothings. At lunch they eat and enjoy the
other’s company. Afterschool they ride the bus, whispering and giggling
quietly. Numbers are exchanged and soon the two text nonstop when they aren’t
together.
Both begin
to open up. Neither are as concerned with minor details anymore, they want to
know everything about each other. Slowly old skeletons are taken from the
closets and shown to the other. Neither cringes, but both respect what the
other has been through.
The two are
inseparable and know even the smallest details about each other. Then one day,
there is a change.
She, who
talked of the weather, doesn’t see him before class. He, who said hello first,
doesn’t visit her at lunch. They sit on opposite sides of the bus afterschool.
When they pass each other, they make no effort to say hello. They know
everything about each other and yet, pass each other as strangers. Everything
they once had is gone. And yet, the saddest part of all is that there was no
goodbye. They simply became estranged strangers.
This was great, the build up of the connection between the two and then the sad ending of separation. The contrast between being strangers and friends really emphasizes the heartbreak.
ReplyDeleteOkay I really liked this post because it entains something everyone can relate to. I feel as though this is describing a boyfriend and girlfriend, but really its applicable in any situation. As a senior its weird to look back at all the friendships Ive had with people that no longer exsist. Great post with a very intresting idea:D
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad that you can relate to it, I wasn't too sure if anyone would know what I was talking about! I feel like I'm always walking past people that I used to know like the back of my hand, especially now that its's senior year. Thank you :)
Deletethe ending just killed me..it utterly killed me...this was so fantastic I just can't I love how you captured how a couple (or friendship) ends into just nothing sometimes. It is so sad..it really is! great story!
ReplyDeleteAH! No, no no. This is the ugly truth. It so weird how we come across hundreds of people a day and not know one thing about them. Like everyone has their own story, and they are all different. SO crazy. I can definitely relate to this, people come and go in our lives. God works in such mysterious ways.
ReplyDeleteI always find myself staring at people, trying to figure out who they are. I definitely agree with you, some people are just meant to come into our lives and not meant to stay long because they're not meant for forever.
DeleteI like that you put a lot of our feelings of this matter for everyone to see. We all go through this at one point in life so this is a great example.
ReplyDeleteI love the subject of your writing :) this is a really touchy topic to some people and I really admire the truth and reality to this post. I love the last sentence. Good job :)
ReplyDeleteSometimes, I look back at my elementary school year book and wonder why my old pals never call me anymore.
ReplyDeleteI definitely know what that feels like!
DeleteI think this is my favorite blog post on here because I can relate to this in so many ways. It also makes me think more about how I view people when I pass them by on a daily basis at school.
ReplyDeleteAwh thank you!! :) I'm so glad that you found it relatable and I'm glad that it got you thinking about the people you pass by.
DeleteOohhh this is amazing!!!! i could relate this so much with the cycle of friendships! I tend to look back at elementary school and middle school an wonder why the people i used to talk to so much, aren't that close to me anymore, so like what you said it goes back the the stranger stage. I agree with Elizabeth that as a senior, the last year of seeing people you actually grew up with will be gone before you know it. We need to all spend time time with friends before the opportunity of a friendship will be gone. I agree with Cassey also, that EVERYBODY has a different story, every time i go to the mall or somewhere in public i always wonder who these "strangers" really are in their life, and what do they do for a living. I think a simple compliment to a stranger can help that person's day feel better and you never know, they might be your future bestfriend/boyfriend/wife/husband/boss/or long loss relatives.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much :) I am honestly beyond excited that so many people have found it to be relatable! I've haven't actually realized that these are the last couple of months that we get to make those lasting friendships and to spend time with those friends that we have now. That actually has me thinking about making sure that I am there for the friends that I have now and to put more effort into our friendships before it's too late. Thank you for that :) I find myself trying to guess each person's story based on their body language and how they interact with people around them. Thank you so much for your comment, especially that last part. :))
DeleteVery amazing. I really hate that this happens but well...it just happens you know. great job though!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, you don't even understand how well I was able to relate this piece to my own personal life. It is quite crazy how people we never knew become so important in our lives, its crazy how much we know about them and they us, its even crazier when such a significant piece some how fades out.. and just like how you worded it perfectly "without a good-bye". The term "stranger" is analyzed so well in your passage, and I love how well it comes full circle and the stranger that you once never knew, could eventually become the stranger that you know everything about. It actually makes me want to call up old friends that I've grown apart from and rekindle friendship, and being able to write and motivate someone to do something about the chosen topic is a powerful thing. Excellent piece, I hope you write again.
ReplyDeleteAhh, I'm sooo glad so many people can relate to it! I am like...I don't know the right word...but like so amazed/happy that I was able to get you thinking about calling up your old friends. I'm honored that I was able to get you motivated. Thank you so much. :)
DeletePeople come and go but God endures forever. :) I think its funny how we are scared of talking to strangers but that's how some of the best relationships come about and sometimes they stick around
ReplyDeleteThis is life in a nutshell. Most friendships don't last and often times they end for no reason. This was very well written and rang true. I'm sure everyone has been through this at some point.
ReplyDeleteI feel like we can all all relate. At some point, usually back in elementary, we had friends, and now we're complete strangers. My cousin and I were really close; I was around 7 and she was like 11. I rarely see her now, and we hardly talk. I guess things just change.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry about the relationship with you and your cousin. Things definitely change and I always find myself wondering about why things had to change in the first place. But in the end, I guess everything makes sense. I suppose we'll all just have to wait and see. :)
DeleteLOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE this!
ReplyDeleteVery easy to relate to, indeed. The entire time I was reading this I was thinking it sounded incredibly familiar. It's almost reassuring to know it just happens with no real cause.
ReplyDeletei think this is very relatable to many people. some are just not meant to stay in our lives and the sucky part is w are left wondering why.. i really enjoyed your piece though, i feel as if everyone has been here which makes it so great(: good job(:
ReplyDeleteWow! A real life topic like this is definitely going to hold some personal connections. My favorite part of this read was the tone in which I portrayed it to be. It sounded lifeless and meaningless in the beginning and progressed into a tone of excitement and something-to-live-for kind of feel. I also felt the sudden shift, like the woman felt "unresolved" which directly relates to many if not all lives. Really great job, I really have more I want to say but I just can't put in words!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you picked up on the tone, your wording on the tone is really quite amazing. :) Thanks a bunch! :)
Deleteit was a "twisted fate" hahaha. anyways what happened to their relationship?? why back to strangers ;( but this did a good job on hittin my feels
ReplyDeleteI guess I'm not really sure what happened to their relationship. I don't think they know what happened either, it just fell apart and drifted away leaving nothing left. Awh yay! :)
DeleteThis is so insightful. It is soo true and it's a shame that this is how it is. We can't we all be friends forever right? Great job!
ReplyDeleteThe relationship's between people, and how each persons view of another can alter over time has always astounded me. Truly enjoyed this post!
ReplyDeleteEveryone's stores are so perfect this month. I can't. This essay or whatever it's called is so completely true. I think every person can relate in any such way. It is so sad how people can be strangers to best friends/lovers to strangers again. I love the repetition of the word strangers throughout because you never just said strangers more than once; you used different adjectives to accompany the word stranger. Awesome awesome job!
ReplyDeleteMmmm. My smile gradually grew as the post continued and was then suddenly wiped from my face near the end. The "Don't talk to strangers" now appears almost hypocritical, for essentially everyone starts as a stranger. strange. Thank you for sharing:)
ReplyDeleteThis is really good. It's almost the story of my life. I enjoyed this quite.
ReplyDeleteOh man this sounds something like ive been through its so crazy how someone is so attached and used to talking to someone everyday and then all of a sudden there is something that causes that separation and like you said becomes strangers again even when you really aren't, this story called my attention because its true and it has happened to everyone out there. You should write a second story titled "How strangers reconcile" hehehe
ReplyDeleteI feels man. I've had many friends who I loved being around, but different schedules just sets us apart. And now there's less recognition of the other,making it difficult to understand why the person you've connected to is a complete stranger.
ReplyDeleteLife. This was a really good read, the build was so great and I was waiting for that Disney moment but reality had her way instead. thank you!
ReplyDeleteThis piece is so relatable everyone goes through this at one point in their lives I liked this a lot
ReplyDeleteI dont like strangers, they make me nervous. I enjoyed reading this post though, it was one of my favorites.
ReplyDeletewow that is deep, i feel like i can relate to this. i have so many questions , you have a great mindset.
ReplyDeletewhat a deep meaning! i can relate to this and i feel like you have a great mindset. your a really talented person
ReplyDeleteif that was me in the story instead of saying hello i would tried to say hello but instead fallen down and like broke my arm. excluding that, this piece was really well written and i especially enjoyed the build up toward the beginning.
ReplyDeleteSad truth. but this is life. I really like how you portrayed these characters in your story.
ReplyDeleteYou have no idea how relatable this piece is to the audience that is reading it - high school students. I have a handful of relationships that have been affected this way and it is a harsh and brutal reality that we must face, but it's heartbreaking at the same time. I think you pointed everything out crystal clear, just as it truly is in real life. Good piece :) made us reflect on our own lives.
ReplyDeleteDang this is soooo true! I guess some people are only in your life for a season and some for a lifetime. Reading this makes me think back to all the people that has happened with from elementary to now. Crazy how it happens so randomly too! Good job u brought up a great point.
ReplyDeleteYour work is really captivating the slow pace of the work, the simplicity is what drives the tone and vitality of your qork. You yake a simple idea of human interaction and you instead unearthed a far deeper and more complex attitude which raises questions and concerns for both the reader and the speaker of your work. The easy movement of the lines allows us to take time and analyze our characters in this case it would be the the guy and the girl. You also focuse your scope into the idea of a stranger in which its true, we make new acquaintances and latter on we forget as if we where the mere recollection of a forgoten and faded hallucination crafted by us. I realllllllyyyyyyyyyy enoyed your work and keep writting.
ReplyDeleteWow I love this! I thought the build of the two strangers developing a friendship would turn into a love story but the ending that they become strangers again makes it seem real because whether or not we want to admit it, it happens. It's the sad truth that some things don't last forever. Great job, very well written!
ReplyDeleteI love this because so many different people can relate to this! Especially because we are getting ready to leave high school... how many of us will still keep in touch? Great job!
ReplyDeletegreat loved it
ReplyDeleteThe story was well written and the use of a real life topic pulled me in!
ReplyDeleteYou really took the thing we call a relationship and put it into perspective with this. Amazing job.
ReplyDeleteWow! This is amazing! The topic was perfect because this actually happens to people all the time and i think you decribed it perfectly! The best part is that some of us can actually relate to this unfortunately.
ReplyDeleteI like how a lot of people can relate to this as well as my self, its weird how you can know so much about someone and then act like you never knew them. Overall this was a great piece!
ReplyDelete