Trapped in New York

  The glistening skyscrapers tower over me as I move with the crowd down the sidewalk. Languages that I don't understand pass by my ears making me wonder what these people are talking about. I take a seat on a bench to the side and watch as a few tourists "ooh" and "aah" over all the large buildings. The smiles on the young childrens faces, and the fascination puzzles me. I've lived in this bustling city all my life, but I've never seen it like these people do. I live in one of the largest cities in America, but I feel trapped. I've never been the city girl type. I feel like a bird trapped in a cage. Everyone else walking by have things to do, places to be, and people to see. While I'm left to watch it all from behind these wire barriers.

  Most people would think living in New York City would open up so many possibilities, but it doesn't really. Not for me, atleast. I don't like the hustle and bustle. I'd much rather be in a small town where people actually take notice of you even though you're not some major celebrity. Call me crazy. I don't mind. Atleast it would be some sort of attention. If you spoke to me I would finally know that I'm not invisible, but just unnoticable. I'm the average teenage girl. I have average brown hair, average brown eyes, and I'm the average height and weight for a sixteen year old. I'm average in a world full of extraordinary people and places. I guess it's pretty obvious why I'm overlooked so easily. I can't really blame anyone, can I? I'd look over me too if I were a succesful buisness woman or an aspiring fashion designer. I'd tut at me as I'd walk by with my head hung low in my t-shirt and jeans.

  I look up and watch as men in suits carrying briefcases rush past. Women in heels carrying designer purses with phones held to their ears strut across the street. Tourists with cameras snap pictures of things that I see everday. Some teenagers splash water at each other beside the fountain. They don't feel trapped. They feel free in a city with so much space. I'm not sure why I don't feel like they do. I've just never seen beauty in lights and tall buildings. I see beauty in rolling hills and green countryside. I see beauty in crashing waves and gritty sand. I feel free in places like that. I feel like my cage has been opened and I can spread my wings whenever I am able to get away from the city. I'll never be like other people. I'm different, although I'm not sure if that is good or bad.

   My family doesn't understand why I want to leave so bad. I want to leave because I'm suffocating. I'm suffocating when I walk on the sidewalks, suffocating when I enter shops, suffocating when I look out my window; five stories above the ground. They don't understand that this isn't what I always wanted. I don't want my name on billboards, and I don't want my face on TV. I want my face and name in people's hearts. I want them to know me for me, and not because I worked my butt off trying to make a name for myself only to find out that people like me for my money and fame and not for who I really am. Not that anyone likes me for who I am now. No one knows who I am or what I could be. Not a single person has taken interest in me my entire life. I'm just average me lost in the crowd.

 I stand up from my place on the bench and brush off my pants. I slip back into the crowd of people rushing off to do whatever they do with their lives. My grey clothing blends in with the sidewalk and the blur of people. Once again, I am lost in the crowd. The skyscrapers mock me. They're so noticable while I'm just...not. The bird is still locked in her cage watching life pass her by. Maybe one day she'll spread her wings, and fly out into the world. Maybe one day I'll be a Blue Jay instead of a Sparrow.

Author's Note

This is what came out of a challenge I did. The challenge was to write a story based off of the picture that is attached (0r whatever) to this. So, this is what came out!

Reviews

[Tamelia Jade]

I think you expressed the feelings perfectly and delivered constantly. This was such a great story with fantastic imagery. Thanks for a great story!

[JadeForever]

Nicely done. This is how I feel every time I travel to New York. YOU have captured an average girls thoughts and read my mind. :)

[Jessica Marie]

I really like this. It's interesting seeing a different perspective- I've lived in a semi-small town, and I've always loved cities. Thanks for sharing!

[XxNaylahxX]

Good Story

[Samantha Lynn]

I love this. This is how I feel when i am in big cities actually. I feel trapped, and i am more of a small town girl. I love the town I live in right now. It's so tiny, its not even on a map. I bet if you googled it, it wouldn't show up. haha but anyways, back to your story. For being written in ten minutes, I think you did a pretty good job. :)

[Coyote Poetry]

A large city can feel like a prison. I like the description of unhappiness and desire to escape.
"No one knows who I am or what I could be. Not a single person has taken interest in me my entire life. I'm just average me lost in the crowd. "
Easy to become invisible in a large city. Thank you for the excellent story.
Coyote

[Sophie]

The last line is perfect, I loved this. Amazing, I'll be favoriting this.

[eeoopig]

I'm like this at times :) good story for ten minutes - wow! I could never write something like this in that amount of time! :) well done

[Harley (arbiter)]

Hey. I'm like this. Well I can relate to this at least. This was a good story.