The Red Ribbon

The Red Ribbon - g/ram Sally Mayfield was eighteen years old when she decided to leave town for the first time by herself. She lived in Brentwood, the older side of the valley. The trees were a thicker and the sidewalk was lifted and cracked, showing signs of decay. Everyone walked on the street, where you could always see a group of kids playing games or the neighbors walking their luxury dogs. Things there were simple and traditional; everything was pleasant, she wanted a change.
Until that day, Sally never left the safe bubble of the town. Sally wanted to expierence more to life, she wanted to know what danger was, and what thrill was. Sally started coming her dark brown hair, the same way she always had; she brushed it tight and snug, tying it with a rid ribbon. That day, she picked out a green polka-dot dress that she bought three weeks ago but wasn’t allowed to wear it at school. She raced down the stairs on a cool spring morning. Her grandma had already made her a hardy breakfast that consisted of blueberry pancakes, a soft-boiled egg, crispy honey bacon, and a fruit bowl. Her grandma believed in a rich and full breakfast and that you can’t start a day productively without it, Sally never minded this.
The clock was quarter to seven and she needed to get to the bus stop in five minutes only today she wasn’t going to school, she was going to the hills. This was the newer and more modern part of town. She had been there many times, but only from the comfort of a car; she wasn’t allowed to go on the streets. She raced across her lawn, just about tripping on her own feet. She was one block away and could already see the bus; she knew she would make it however she seemed to have been slowed down. It was her neighbor dale. He was a dark haired senior the same age as Sally. His face was red from the sun and his hair was matted with sweat. “Sal, how come you’re taking the city bus?’’ Dale asked with a sincere and confused look.
“Mind you own business Dale.” Sally replied.
He laughed, “Guess now that you’re eighteen you think it’s all fun and games and you can do whatever you want.” She looked down as she climbed the bus and said, “Dale, it’s a big world, and if you want be a functioning part of it, you should get to class.”
Dale and casually raised his eyebrows in a surprised expression, as Sally didn’t usually speak that way. “I see you tied that red ribbon extra tight,” he replied riding off. She walked upon the steps in nervous strides, having only been on a bus once. She saw that the old man in front of her put coins in a metal box then to find his seat. Sally followed lead and did the same, it was obvious she hadn’t done this before. She put her coins and looked out to the seats. The smell was clammy and musty and lights were floresest and flickered. The people were quiet and no one jumped to greet and invite her to sit like on her school bus. She decided to sit alone next to the window. There was a tall, middle-aged man with a dark beard and circular specticals intensely enchanted by a book he was reading. Behind her was an elderly woman, she had a dark skin complection and a whole collection of jewery as if she was dressed up for a special occasion, she was knitting something that looked like a scarf. Sally was thinking perhaps she had made a mistake by coming on the bus, she didn’t know what she was doing. Before the bus went off there was a young man running to get on, She already knew who. Dale raced up, put his coins in and quickly took a seat, his smile beaming at her. She didn’t know what was happening, but she smiled back. She felt joyful that there atleast someone she knew.
He took a seat right next to her and said, “Sal, I know why you’re on here.”
“I don’t know why I am on here” she wearily replied.
He replied with excitement, “let me take you somewhere, I know you will like it.” His wide-open eyes looked inviting and she wouldn’t normally go, but she wanted to go with him.
“Where?” she replied sounding interested.
“It’s a secret place in the forest across town, near the hills.” She had always wanted to go exploring there, she replied, “how curious.” The bus went on through the town, she felt excited for once. Her town was flying past her; soon the trees were thinner and the buildings bigger. They were on the bus for almost an hour when Dale finally told her it’s their stop. She had no idea where she was; they were at a very lush and green park. There was a calm stream with benches and the sun was bright and hot. Dale started getting near the edge of a forest that looked similar to the one back in Brentwood, except these trees looked even older. They started to enter the forest, the ground was all dirt, and only specs of light could creep through. The air was cooler and smelt fresh; she could hear the sounds of nature while passing through the calm trail lead by Dale. After walking several hundred feet the trees were getting thinner and just beyond she could see a spectacular waterfall, the splashing waters created a steady path of endless pulse. “Jump in,” he said looking 10 feet down to the pool below. “Are you mad?” She replied Dale smiled, “Fine, I’ll go first.”
Dale took a stand at the edge of the cliff; he inhaled deeply and with a big thrust, he jumped. Dale told her to jump in after; she didn’t hesitate, she flew out from the ground soaring across the air into the deep water. She felt truly alive. They stayed there the whole day, and that day she found the thrill and danger she had ben craving. Her hair became undone from the jump, and Green polka dot dress had been fully saturated. The red ribbon washed up on a rock, she never wore one again.