1 Fireworks

"Hey, you coming?"

Their dresses bounced as they ran ahead of me, eager to get going.

"I don't want to, but just give me a sec," I muttered, slowly grabbing my bag.

"C'mon, hurry up or we'll miss the fireworks!"

They all stopped and were staring at me with immense impatience. I didn't want to hold them back any longer, so I hurriedly stepped forward, only to trip and fall.

"Geez you klutz, how did you trip like that? There isn't even anything to trip on!"

I tried to stand back up, only to stumble yet again. I looked down. "Oh, it looks like I broke one of my sandals."

"Really? We didn't even leave yet! Must we always keep waiting on you? Now we're really going to miss the fireworks!"

I held my head up only to see all of them glaring at me. The yelling and glares didn't help me much, but I still forced a smile on my face. "Its alright, don't wait up for me. Go on ahead and I'll meet you all there." I took off my useless pair of sandals before standing back up.

"Are you sure? We came all this way to get you.Are you sure you're fine heading there yourself?"

"Yeah, the original plan was to meet up anyway. I'm just happy I got to see you guys before then," I said with my head down. "Besides, all I have to do is grab a new pair of shoes. I won't be too far behind."

"Well since you gave us permission, off we go!" She giggled as she turned the doornob and they all left. Beyond the door, I could hear them whispering.

"God what a klutz."

"So lame, all she can do is smile at us like a fool."

"Sshhh, she might hear you!"

Amongst them, I hear their chatter slowly die down to a whisper. Then after a while, it slowly starts to fade away until nothing.

'Finally, they're gone,' I sighed with relief. Still holding my sandals, I toss them to the side as I open my bag. I dump out the contents and manage to find my phone. No messages. I switch it to silent mode and head back upstairs to my room.

'They won't even care if I actually go,' I sadly thought, 'they left the minute I gave them a chance without any hesistation. Some friends they are.'

I finally make it to the top of the stairs and open the door to my room. Without the light pouring in from the balcony, the room would have been pitch black. I set my phone on my desk and head outside onto the balcony. I lean against the railing and stare up into the night sky. 'The stars look beautiful tonight. Maybe I should finally join them.' I suddenly thought.

'Would they even care?'

I look back to my phone on the desk. The screen was still black. Which means no new messages.

'Why did I even think otherwise? I always hold them back, so why would they bother with the extra effort?'

I turn back around and continue looking at the night sky. I hear a loud pop, and see that the fireworks have begun. The brilliant flashes of color across the sky soothe me as I climb over the balcony railing. Standing on the other side of the railing, I glance up at the sky one more time.

"The fireworks really are breathtaking," I said in awe as I let go of the railing and decended backwards towards the pavement.