Bzzzz.... bzzzz..... bzzzz

"You know..."

Faintly a Samsung Galaxy mutters against a pale mess of bedsheets. It's sound gently fills the attic space with life, joining into a chorus of morning sounds and mechanical breaths. Barely sitting on the edge, the light from the screen creates a soft glow against the dark shadow that is slowly spreading across cherry wood floors beneath the bed. Across from the cellphone lies the body of its owner. Lying still, he is bathed in a dusty light. And though he is wide awake, his mind wanders through the memories of his life. His dark grey eyes stare wantingly through the shade of his window and into the vast open world just outside the pane. One hand in his pants and the other hanging off. He lies in his bed, his head amidst a pile of pillows and sheets. His short dark locks contrast against the stark white pillows that support him. His soft pale skin almost glows in the light.

He arises after a moment, brushing his free hand through his hair. He sighs as reaches for his cell phone.

"They say you can't control who you fall in love with..."

A pattern of shapes comes up, memorizing them quickly he unlocks his phone and turns off the alarm. Licking his dry lips, his tongue brushes over the craves of his flat and yet thick lips; he rises out his bed stretching at the same time before taking off his hoodie which he wore the night before. Revealing a lean swimmer's like build beneath. He doesn't dare to look in the mirror across his room. Ashamed of his non-muscular body. He scratches his bare chest and walks over to desk chair and grabbing up his towel as he goes to get washed up.

In another space, a young girl lies in her bed. Her room lies a mess around her. Noisy and chaotic she rests stoically upon the sheets. A blaring ringtone rips through the air getting louder and louder with each passing second. Moments go by before she arouses herself to react to the cellphones cries. As she does her bedsheets, thin and light, gently fall away from her Russet colored skin. Bare before the sunlight; she sits on her bed tiredly.  Her warm brown eyes hazily gaze out the window. At first upset, she glares out at the vast world. But this disappears once she hears a soft ring come from her phone. Looking over she sees a message from Phillip, "Not planning on skipping right?" she sighs softly as she grabs up her phone.

“They say you choose who your mate is”

Another girl is already awake and dressed; she arranges her long curly locks into a tight bun upon her head. Turning her head, she brushes her edges neatly into a flat crown of swirls framing her face. In the background soft music plays, she hums along to the tune of it as she put on slight makeup to cover a few blemishes. All the while she scrolls through a bible app on her Ipad, as she reads the bible verse of the day. 

“Religions say everyone is born to be with someone."

Once finished she turns to head out the door, locking her Ipad and putting it away into her bag, but not before looking back to find her self-made alter. A single dresser littered with pictures upon pictures of loved ones. Her grandmother who passed away two years ago, her grandfather who left her four years before that. Her siblings, both younger and older, sits around a table filled with food from a Thanksgiving meal three years ago. Her aunts and uncles are smiling and laughing in a stilled eternity from a Christmas Seasons years ago. And in the middle of it all, a picture of Jesus is plastered in the center of the mirror. His wavy hair adorned with flowers and slathered in precious oils. 

"No matter how far away, or different they may be. If you are destined to be, then that is what will be. But--"

In another room, a young man sits on the edge of his bed, though the room is filled with light a dark shadow embraces his figure. He stares at a photo in his hands, though his room seems almost pristine. A mess of tears rests upon the surface of the picture that lies in his palms. Depicted in its image, a man kisses the cheek of his wife. Her laughter can almost be heard through the frame itself. Out the corner of his eyes, he smiles at the camera. His warm brown eyes filled with life. As if to intentionally stare into the soul of all those who lay eyes on the picture. Around his legs are two young boys, who clasp to him with love in each arm.

“Science says you pick the best mate that you believe is fit for you at the time. Somebody you believe you can survive with.”

In another room, the loud blast of music reverberates through the space. A young girl sits before a mirror as she applies the last part of her makeup. Smacking her brown lips, she gazes herself over. Her long blond hair gleams in the light. Her pale cheeks are stained in a pretty pink blush and snow white foundation just before she is about to get up when she hears her iPhone and notices a text on the screen.

"Lily?" She pauses looking at it. A small smirk develops across her face.

"They say its brief, temporary."

Standing she quickly dismisses the text message before proceeding to delete the whole conversation. Opening her facebook app, she goes to her relationships and taps the name of her supposed boyfriend. Without a moment to spare quickly deletes his contact. Changing her status back to single.

"Always changing, always moving somewhere.”

The floorboards creak beneath his feet, as he brushes the towel through his locs. He pauses near the entrance of a beaded doorless frame. A senior woman in her 60s blankly stares out the window. Beside her, an older man wrestles to get into the chair. But she seems not to notice him; stoically she stares out into the world almost as if she was a statue. But once sitting across from her, the older man reaches out to touch her and softly whispers her name. At first, she turns confused and bewildered, a look of fear and anger bleeds into her cheeks but just before a look of love melts her icy cold exterior. She smiles as her eyes soften almost sadly as she gazes upon him. He smiles back, as he rubs her hand.

“They say its eternal, flexible, unbreakable. Though its expression may change, it’s original intent never changes even as the world keeps turning.”

The young boy smiles as he gazes upon the touching scene. Afraid that his presence may spoil the moment. He stays at the doorway, quietly observing the view.

But another observer looks on at another scene with disgust. Before her feet, empty cans and bottles of alcohol are strewn about the floor. Among them lies a woman who sleeps with her back against the couch. Her thin almost translucent hair barely hides her face. Still wearing her work clothes from the night before she snores loudly, legs apart, a 6-inch heel on one foot and a torn stocking on the other. The young girl goes to open her mouth, but nothing comes out. Her hand shakes furiously as she grips her bookbag. But then the mother coughs herself awake. At first, she jolts up, almost afraid of something. Before relaxing back into position, she breathes heavily as she tries to control her temptation to fall over. Her head lazily hangs on the couch behind her, as she turns her head. It falls to side as she peers at the young girl standing towering over her. At first, a look of fear fills her eyes before shame and anger.

“They say its a chemical in your brain, an idea formulated over centuries with no bearing on reality or person."

"What are you looking at? Huh?" The mother asks she chuckles softly, almost laughing to herself; she lets her head hang. Sucking her teeth, she tries to get up but ends up falling back over.

A pause stays between them as the young girl refuses to answer, a silent retort burns the air. She doesn't move to help her mother; she stands over her glaring intensely at the bottles that have consumed her mother whole.

"That causes some to grow into better people and others to lose their mind.”

"If you have something to say, say it" her mother whispers. Her mother waits for her to speak. She expects to hear her daughter's soft voice, a partial shrill and chirp she remembered in the young girl's youth. But no cry came from her. Instead, she walks away, causing the mother to watch as her daughter gave her back to her. The loud slam of the door darkens the room.

"Whether or not that is true?"

The First Boy, Phillip, walks down the stairs, as usual, he wears a grey hoodie. Pulling it over his head. He opens his front door and leaves out through the door. 

"Is always...."

The Second Girl, James, hurriedly runs about her room in a hurry to get dressed. Tossing shirt after shirt into an endless pile of clothes that gather in the corner of her room. 

"Is always..."

The Third Girl, Andrea, surrounded by family kisses her brothers as they run out the door to catch the bus. Her mother hugs her older sister and her as they also hurry out the door. Her father sits watches as his family goes out the door waving his young girls goodbye from the porch. 

"Is always..."

The Third Boy, Drew, stands in the doorway to his home. His friends honking the car for him to hurry. Smiling he turns to his mom, who looks at him worried. He tries his best to console her before kissing her on her forehead and hurrying off to his mates. 

"Is always..."

The Fourth Girl, Lila, rushes down the walkway to her best friends car, a young man sits in the driver's seat. She quickly jumps in, leaning over she kisses him as she strokes his leg slightly. He smiles excited, but she directs his attention to the road as the two speeds off down the street. 

"Is always..."

The Fourth Boy, Geo, taps the tip of his running shoes. Barely keeping his balance, he throws his bookbag over his shoulder. Just before he leaves, he turns to see his grandfather. Waving him goodbye, he quickly puts on his headphones and runs out the door. 

"Is always..."

Pulling out her bike from the side of the house, the Fifth Girl, Juliet, kicks up the stand and pushes off on her journey. Her short brunette hair whips through the air. 

"Is always..."

Phillip, stands outside the door, leaning against the rusting railing, He stares up at the vast sky above him. Though most of the trees are still a vibrant green, he watches as a single autumn leaf clings to its branch. It doesn't take long before it finally releases its grip. It's beautiful reddish hue contrasting against the blue sky that now welcomes into world, it's journey only now beginning.

"Is always up to you."