One Day Owl Know Better

One Day Owl Know Better

"Well, I wish you would’ve asked me first. You can't be so inconsiderate of people’s feelings all the time,” snapped Megan. I feel bad to say I was kinda empty as my sister told me how my actions affect her especially since an unforeseen event caused her personal possession to be permanently lost. I needed an extra bookbag because I left mine at my friend’s house, so I went into my sister’s room and borrowed hers. She had discovered it was missing before I was able to put it back. In all reality, I was not able to put it back because I accidentally left it in the weight room right before football practice and when it donned on me that I left it, it was too late. The bookbag was gone and it wasn’t in the lost and found. Neither were my clothes that I left in it. It’s so weird how stuff comes up missing. Like, why steal someone’s stuff just to keep it hidden? Where could they possibly wear my clothes to? What kind of thoughts does someone have when they put on someone else’s clothes purposefully outside school so they don’t get caught. Are they ever nervous to be seen at the store by the person they stole from? O wait, I guess I can kind of answer this question myself considering I just tried to borrow my sister’s black bookbag and return it before she saw it missing.

It was evening time, I had finished my studies and began walking to my friend’s house to retrieve my bookbag. I had this shadow over me or some odd feeling that made reality super loud or profound. All I could think, hear, or feel was my sister’s words and the negative feeling inside. Is borrowing someone’s bookbag without asking, really that bad? Usually I don’t have any kind of feeling when I make a decision that affects someone else’s life. If I make a decision that affects someone else’s life negatively, I usually don’t care. But today I just felt like a stupid criminal.

Not only did reality feel surreal, but I felt as if I was being watched. I was prompted within myself to look up and to the right. I wonder if feeling bad causes things to look different too because I never noticed before how grand this tree was as I passed the Peck’s house. I stared into the tree and noticed an owl within the branches. The owl was making dead on eye contact with me once my eyes found their way through the maze of leaves. This eye regard made me feel a little surprised inside with feelings running throughout my body like, “I see you.” I said a sort of “hello” with my eyes and turned my head to look forward to keep on my way.

I made it to my friends house finally. It felt like the longest yet shortest walk ever as my thoughts were preoccupied with the Owl’s glimpse and stare. I asked Frank about my bookbag and he said, “Yes. It is in the dining room in the pocket door space. Are you having a bad day?” “I am having a weird day, I borrowed my sister’s bookbag and we had a little argument about it. She was mad at me.” “Really? An argument with Megan really made you feel so bad? You are a thorn in her side, that’s what brothers are for. To be honest, you look like there is something more than that bothering you but maybe you’re having some kind of weird day.” Yes. There was something bothering me. I couldn’t get the owl’s dark eyes out of my mind.

I later walked home and instantly went to look around to see if I could see him. I walked a few blocks and later saw him fly above me but this time he didn’t even look at me. Maybe he was preoccupied with hunting. I made it back home and was so thankful the day had ended.

The next morning as I was getting ready for school, Megan said, “I really wish I had my bookbag today, maybe you can help me carry my stuff.” I was still somewhat wounded from the events that took place and feeling guilty, I agreed to help her even though she only let me carry one book. I guess it was her way of punishing me. We left for school and it was still somewhat dawn as we walked. I was prompted again to look up and there he was, the owl! He was flying overhead and not paying us any attention. So weird. I felt inside that I kinda wanted him to notice me. What was this feeling?

“Your sister’s been talking junk about you all day and how you’re a thief,” said Michael as we stood in the hall. I felt my alter ego kick in as I replied I didn’t really care. All girls do is complain anyway. I was triggered back to my old self. Thoughts of anything but being responsible ran through my head. I walked home after school purposefully avoiding Megan so that I could be alone to think of my selfish plans, I may skip homework and go to my friend’s house again. After a couple blocks, the air seemed to change and the space felt profound again, the noises of the neighborhood extra live. I felt the itch to look up and there he was, the owl. His stare seemed ever penetrating. If only he could see what kind of day I have had then maybe he would mind his own business! His head seemed to turn and follow me. Almost like a painting with eyes that follows you. I then decided to go home and focus on my work to make tomorrow a better day. I looked up again and saw the Owl had flown away. I wondered where he was going.