Voices trapped in yearning;
&&Memories trapped in time.

Just another day at school; one door opened, two doors closed. Sydney didn't really understand why they kept her here. Coming back. It didn't really suit her. She didn't understand what she was being taught anyway, and it all just amounted to more stress for her, and more anger at the world. She carried a light book bag slung over her shoulder, barely containing any books. Her attire consisted of a dark blue pair of skinny jeans, black flats, a plain black camisole, and her favorite, zippered black Slipknot hoodie. One earbud dangled by her side, one rested in her ear; the wire connecting the two disappeared off into her hoodie with her hand. Currently, Evans Blue, "Cold (But I'm Still Here)" crashed through her ear. Her rhythmic footsteps were leading her across the sports field toward the parking lot.

From the same pocket that her ipod was in, Syd pulled out a cigarette. Her hand groped around inside her pocket, but she had no luck in finding a lighter. She tried every pocket on her. "Fuck." She knew she had had one. "Damnit," her voice was more resigned then. She glanced up and looked around. Z Locksler. Sleeping on the goal post. Well... it was worth a try. She headed in his general direction, trying to convince herself not to. He hated her. Or... she felt like he did, when they weren't screwing, anyway. But she really needed a smoke right now. Besides, she kind of missed seeing his half-smile flashing in her direction, feeling his warm brown eyes resting on her, hearing his strong words intended for her...

Sydney was going through a particularly rough time with her dad right now. It was like she couldn't do anything right, and it was wearing her out. She supposed it wasn't really that she couldn't do anything right... but more that he was trying to help her do better. If he didn't care.. If he would just accept that she was a f*ck-up, a messed up kid. If he would just accept defeat, or better yet, if he would just get fed up and hate her. Life would be so much easier for her that way. But he wouldn't. And she wanted to escape it; she wanted to escape that unconditional love and tolerance. It was driving her crazy. "I don't want to lose you. Tell me how I can get my baby girl back," his words shook her. He was always so calm, hopeful. She'd yell in response, "It's too late! There's no way to get me back! I'm already too far gone! Don't you get it!?"

She neared the goal post now, taking a deep breath. Already too far gone. She glanced at Z quietly, standing there for a moment, watching his closed eyelids. After a moment, she broke the silence, broke the calm. "Howdy, stranger. Any chance you might have a light?" 'Or better yet, a joint?' She didn't express the slight interest in drugs, asking only for the lighter instead. She wondered if he had ever tried any drugs before. She wasn't sure, which proved how little she knew about him now, despite their once-close friendship in their younger years. For a split second, she wondered if things would've ended up any differently if her mother hadn't died, if Syd hadn't pushed him away like she did... But that thought only lasted for a moment, vanishing as she stared at him now, all in hope of getting a lighter.