noise
empty hallway save a few of us that linger in silence. No one is talking; aware we are around each other and at the same time hoping to go unnoticed. Noises filter through the passage ways and bounce against the side of my head. he words, the sounds, the humming of the lights mean nothing, only white noise. background. i can see a dim reflection of myself in the linoleum floor; no features, just shaped. a cough, shuffle of paper, a sniffle, the humming. the humming is constant; the lights, the vents. just noise. why do they call it white noise? does noise have colour? i didn't know that. a shoe squeaks on the floor. a shoe thats been outside, goes somewhere i wont at the end of the day. i will go home, to the room i live in. me and Cody. i have to vacuum, Cody hates it. he runs after the silence but can't catch it. the vacuum is loud, too loud for him. he hides, makes his own noises, comes back out when i am done. treats makes him feel better. walking sounds and jeans rubbing against each other. feet scuffle across the floor. the roar of the dismissed as they emerge from class. more noise, louder noise. different footsteps, heels, sandals, runners, all making sounds that bounce off the side of my head. some guy i don't know wraps up his lecture before i go in. more noise. more people. more steps. it bounces off the side of my head.