Through the Looking Glass

There I was, with my long earrings touching my neck with every step I took, feeling delicate and lovely, walking home. It didn't matter that it was 11.00. That the road was dark and there was some random guy walking just in front of me. I walked fast until I crossed the road. The stars were bright, the night was clear and I was alone for the first time today. I just enjoyed the breeze and walked. It wasn't a long distance, but for the first time in a long time, I walked slowly, unconscious to everything else but myself. I didn't think of anything, just looked at the stones, at the sky at the road ahead. For the first time in a long time, I let myself not think. And feel.
But I was not completely off-guard. Not completely oblivious. There was that guy walking on the other side of the road. We walked together. At the same pace. I kept expecting something nasty, or sick to happen. It didn't.
And somehow, I learned to trust again.