The Dust Follows

A decade had passed since Briarwood High had been shut down, but it's final demise was set to take place in a day. Demolition crews would be there in the morning to blow the whole place up. "DO NOT ENTER" signs were prominently placed on every entrance and windows were boarded. Jackson McCullogh, class of '97, stood at the back door and stared up at the beautiful brick building. Briarwood High had been a huge part of Jackson's life. His mom taught there and that was where he and all of his siblings attended school. Most importantly, Jackson had met Molly in the third floor science lab.


Molly Landers had long chestnut hair that parted in the middle and honey colored eyes that hypnotized anyone she talked to. Jackson took a deep breath at the memory of her walking in for her first day. Her Jansport backpack on one shoulder, her trapper keeper in her arms, and she had a big smile for everyone as she was being introduced to the entire class. Jackson knew the moment he saw her that he would have to get to know her. So he did everything he could to spend more time with her, even flunk a few tests so she could tutor him. It worked. They became the "IT" couple, won prom King and Queen, and took on NYC together for college. They spent every second they could together and they were happy.


Jackson and Molly daydreamed for a life time. They would make it big in NYC, and once they were ready to start a family, they would move back to Briarwood. Molly would be the breadwinner, she was in finance, and Jackson would be a stay at home Dad if his marketing career didn't go anywhere. Their dreams never ended up panning out the way they planned. One September morning, Molly went to work and never came back. Jackson saw his future crumble to the ground on television, and the dust appear outside their apartment window.


Jackson, at the memory, wiped a tear away from his cheek. He broke the chain on the doors of Briarwood High and ran in. The hallways were covered in graffiti from floor to ceiling but he didn't care to look at them as he raced to the third floor. He ran into the lab and took out a spray can from his pocket. He slowly walked to where his and Molly's table used to be. It had been 23 years since they first met in this room, but for him his love for her remained just as strong. Jackson turned to the wall and sprayed: "We were in love here." He kissed his fingertips, touched the wall, and walked out. The next day, he watched the school building crumble to the ground, and the dust appear around his car, with nothing but memories to hold onto.

Comments 1
Loading...