The Tree of Prophecies

The tree knew everything. It saw everyone. But was it ever happy? Was it ever really alive? Now that matters on opinion, but did a tree really have an opinion? Does an immortal life even have a soul?

Mia knew her dad didn't really love her, but she liked to tell herself that he did. She'd learned to cover the bruises pretty well, cheap makeup did the trick. But she couldn't keep it up forever, she had to find a way out. Most days after school she'd try to keep herself busy until it was utterly necessary to go home, but today was different. She walked slowly, trying to waste time. She found a quiet tree just outside of school perimeters, and sat down lazely. She grabbed her book out of her shredded backpack and took out her bookmark. She leaned her tired, sore back up against the rough bark of the oak tree. She closed her eyes for a moment, slowly wiping off her cheap crappy makeup. Drops of salt water were silently dropping onto her shirt, she was crying, but yet she felt nothing. "I always loved this tree." He said. She quickly wiped away her tears and looked around. "It's strange how a tree seems to be a companion in the darkest of times doesn't it?" He spoke with careful wise words, as if he had said this all before. Mia noticed there was a shadow illuminating the grass to her left. Someone was sitting on the other side of the tree. She hadn't noticed anyone there. "Excuse me?" she said, trying to choose her words carefully, she really didn't want to have more bruises, this was a dangerous town. "A tree has many lives, that’s why it has the greatest advice." He spoke of knowledge, regodnation, and understanding. "I never thought about trees." Mia said, confused about the point of the conversation. "I am nobody and everybody, and the tree listens to everything." "Ok?" Mia said, starting to put her book away. "You hide the bruises but does it do anything? The scars are on the inside, not the outside." Mia felt her chest tighten, she felt tears swarming her eyelids, waiting to break free. "He doesn't even know he's hitting me, his eyes are empty." Her tears ran down her cheek now, she tasted the salty tears on her lips. "The signs of alcohol, the devil's liquid." He spoke with kindness, slowly easing the conversation to go on. "I need help." Mia said she had no idea why she was speaking to a stranger, but she felt safe so she went on. "He hits so hard, and eventually, you don't feel the pain anymore." Her tears were coming faster now, her heart thumping against her chest. A tiny white piece of paper fell from the tree, landing on the grass next to Mia. She took the paper and uncrumpled it. A phone number written across the white lines, scrappy handwriting, as if the pen had been pressed down hard on the paper. Help is near it said. That night Mia called the phone number, and help did come. And she knew that there was someone out there who cared.

Jason knew she was the one, she was smart, beautiful, funny, and had a heart of gold, she never kept quiet, and always spoke of what she believed. His mother had said there were few of her and she wasn't someone who would stay around without a meaning. He walked to school on a regular Tuesday, his heart low, his dreams high. And there she was her folders in one hand, a book in another. Across the cover it read: The History of Art. She looked down and smiled as a puppy walked by, pulling on a leash. He stopped by the old oak tree, leaning on his left side a smile spread across his face. She looked up, and their eyes met, her blue eyes catching his. She broke the gaze when the bell rang, but he would have kept it for all of eternity. He walked up the steps, wondering what would have happened if the gaze continued. After school he went and sat against the oak tree, waiting for her blue eyes to come into contact. And there she was, her body moving to the beat of the swaying branches, her eyes contrasting the blue sky and pure white clouds. “She’ll leave eventually, no one ever really stays.” Jason wiped around, there was a man standing behind the old oak tree. “Uh, yeah.” Was all Jason said. He looked back to her face, wanting to feel happiness again. “Hey how do..” Jason turned around but the he was gone. There was a piece of crumpled paper on the green vibrant grass. He picked it up and unfolded it. It read, Look up. Jason looked up immediately. She was walking towards him! She smiled when she saw him. Jason looked behind him to see if she was smiling at someone else, he looked back at her and her smile widened. “Hey”, she said, her voice music to his ears. “Uh, hey”, Jason replied, he quickly pinched his arm, it wasn’t a dream. “Mind if I sit with you?” “Yeah, sure.” he looked away, trying to control his blushing. “Hey, hm, I know this is kinda weird to like, say out loud, but I kinda like you.” Her eyes shined into his, she expected a response. He smiled, he felt a million bubbles burst in his chest. “Yeah, I like you too.” he smiled as she giggled. They both looked down, but eventually the curiosity took over and Jason asked, “How long?” She looked up, her cheeks flushed red. “Two years.” She replied, her smile spreading across her tan face. “Three years.” He said, she laughed her smile illuminating the whole world. “Good.” Was all she said. “Do you want to meet up here tomorrow?” Jason asked, his heartbeat speeding up. “I’d like that.” Days turned into weeks, months, and years. They met there every day. 

Abigail always felt more male than female. She was always told she was stuck the way she was but she felt different, as if she was taken apart from the world, her soul formed into a singular part of the world. She felt alone, unhappy, and depressed. What do you do when you don’t even feel comfortable in your own skin? Abigail sat down next to the old maple tree, it’s bark peeling like dry skin. Abigail tilt her head back to get the filtered sun on her face.  She felt like sinking, spinning, and turning into nothing. “Hey.” said a scratchy old voice. “Who’s there?” said Abigail, her head spinning every which way trying to find the voice. “No need to worry child.” He said, or at least Abigail thought, you can never tell these days. “Ok? May I help you?” “No child, I’m here to help you.” he spoke softly, as if they were the only people on the planet. “You are special, unique, singular, there is no one else like you.” Abigail could hear rustling in the grass behind her, but she didn’t look back. “You were made to be different. Those feelings you have, it’s ok to have those feelings. Because they are meant to be there, without them you are nobody.” Abigail felt tears streaming down her dry olive skin. Her heart felt like breaking, her body like crumpling. From above a little white crumpled piece of paper fell and was sprawled across the grass. She picked it up. Across the rustic paper a word was written a word that would change her life. Gale. At that word Abigail wirled her head around, her heart racing. Her body tingling, her adrenaline rising. Abigail stood up and walked around the tree, there was no one there. She looked up, no one was in the dream. That night Abigail sat down at the dinner table with her parents. “I will not go by her, I will go by they.” Their faces were expressionless, they’re eyes on Abigail. “And, you will call me Gale.” 

Do you know the moment in life when your whole body aches with the sensation of another? Ida knew, she knew all about it. Lea was beautiful, perfect, strong, and powerful. She was the one for Ida. But is there only one? Ida thought so, and she was lucky enough to find her. You would think that you may never meet the “one”, but Ida thought otherwise. College was great, freedom, drinking, privacy. What else do you need? Well, Ida needed Lea. Without her, Ida would fall and never stop. There was one day unlike any other, when Ida was done with marketing class when she walked the green courtyard. Covered with maple trees, their leaves making the world seem crowded. The courtyard trees making the world look crowded. There was this one oak tree unlike any other, it’s bark a contrast of the most natural, beautiful colors. Lea went there every day and read. Ida would walk to the courtyard every so often just to see her. Her smile made the world look dark, her eyes, a contrast of blue and green. Her hair, smooth and dark brown, almost to the point of midnight black. Her skin, soft to the touch, or so Ida thought. Lea looked up, her eyes searching for something. Ida looked around, trying to find where Lea’s eyes rested as their eyes met. Only if it was that ten seconds direct eye contact, that changed everything. They both smiled and immediately changed their focus, both their hearts racing. Lea had never felt that rush before. Her heart racing, her skin prickled with drops of sweat, her breath sucked from her lungs. Ida was beautiful, light brown hair, tan skin, bright green eyes, and a heart that could control anyone. Why was Lea thinking like this? This was not the point of college, it was meant for education, a boost at regular life. But love was also a boost, Lea took a chance and waved Ida over. Ida looked around before she smiled back at Lea and walked over. Ida sat down on the vibrant grass next to Lea, their legs brushing. Lea blushed and looked away, trying to control her emotions. “What are you reading?” asked Ida, her voice wavering. “Oh! Hm, A Tale of Two Cities.” Lea looked up, their eyes controlling each others. Ida looked away and spotted a tiny piece of paper. She grabbed it, Lea’s eyes moving towards the paper. Ida uncrumpled it, her eyes scanning over the word. Across the pure white paper read: kiss. Lea’s mouth opened, just a tiny bit, and that’s all the courage Ida needed. Ida leaned forward, her eyes closed, as their lips touched. The sensation of skin on skin was golden. Lea’s heart fluttered, her heart skipping a beat. Lea’s mouth opened, freeing Lea’s mouth to Ida’s exploration. They slowly broke apart, their eyes casting over each other’s faces. That was all Ida and Lea needed.