Lilac Stranger

You were a purple-haired stranger who wore a matching lavender blazer and a violet face mask, shielding you from the bleakness and monotone air that you walked ever so gracefully through. I was a tangerine hoodie, athletic shorts wearing boy who was worried about his bedhead and slightly small mask that folded the top of my right ear downwards, causing an awkward look that you might've laughed at if you'd seen. Thank goodness you didn't. I caught you at the end of your shift, throwing your fun-sized pink designer backpack over your right shoulder; a perfect match with your violet outfit. 

I sighed a breath of relief that was followed by a sudden realization, that's probably the first and last time I'll ever see a girl wearing that much purple. It's an unusual yet such a bewitching colour, created by fires of red and oceans of blue. Who would've thought that 2 extremes could produce something of such beauty? It was your purple blazer that caught my eye and it was the lavender hair that pulled me in and made me think, "I have to write about this person." I wasn't all too sure if you were a shopper or a worker, only when you were rummaging through each section of children's clothing did I realize you had a job there. I promptly began to walk with caution so as to not bump into you and distract you from what you were doing; looking in the mirrors to check if my hair was presentable and that perfect mix of messy yet intriguing. I doubt you even noticed me at all. I think you might've been wearing glasses too? I'm not all that sure. 

I followed my mom and little sister around the store, fully aware that you were just down the aisle walkie-talkie in hand. With beaming eyes, my little sister admired the vibrant hues of the sunflower dresses on sale and taking her tiny hands reached in and through the racks of colourful clothing. "Too much yellow!" my mom exclaimed when my little sister brought over a yellow tank top with tiny stars embroidered over the heart. Turning back, I saw you leave the room. A blur of lavender, violet and purple walking to the exit, to wherever the night was planning to take you.

I remember you and I write to you. I compose these words to remind myself of the possibilities behind accompanying your mom and sibling through an underground mall and up to the floor where I first caught a glimpse of your lavender blazer, placing within me a sense of longing and wonder. Odds are you'll never read these words but that's okay. I hope you caught your train. Until then I'll be on the lookout for a red cardigan wearing lady with matching red hair, or maybe even a green hoodie wearing man with forest curls. It'd be interesting if you guys were all related. I'll keep my eyes open and maybe one of these days I'll see you again, violet hair and all. 

Purple Clouds by Laura Lee Zanghetti