Yellow

Yellow is that girl you met in kindergarten that has followed you all the way through school. At first, you thought she was rather cute, but then she opened her mouth and you found out the hard way that it’s impossible to stop the flood of words spilling from those perfect lips. Yellow is always happy, always wanting to see your smile. She’s sweet, like a day lily, but also as annoying as a buzzing bee. You often have the urge to shield your eyes from her. Some days, you want her to leave you be and never return. Others, when you are feeling empty and hopeless, you want to take her in your arms and beg her to stay with you forever. That’s the other irritating thing about Yellow. You’re fascinated by her, and yet she drives you so crazy you can barely stand it.1

Sometimes when Yellow walks away, you can’t help but watch her; she moves so gracefully. She is hyper and exciting, but she’s always careful to make sure she’s on the right path. Her small feet always covered with straw sandals in summer and goldenrod boots in winter as she bounds joyfully along the sidewalk, singing her favorite song to the hills. Yellow works magic. She is good with her hands and speaks constantly, using words you have never heard before. She always tries her best, gets perfect grades, and has many friends. But you’re her favorite friend. She has always told you so. You are the one she wants to make the happiest. When she says this, you don’t know if it should cheer you or frighten you. It does a little of both you guess.2

When you think of Yellow, your thoughts wander to one day in particular. It was three years ago in eighth grade. You remember that she found you that morning and she was so stunning, you could not take your eyes off of her. You are always surprised to find that you can’t breathe when Yellow gazes directly at you with her shining amber eyes, gleaming with affection and curiosity before bounding over to the table you were sitting at. Her curly blond locks were up that day, you recall, and a single sunflower had been slipped behind her ear. She was wearing that sparkling golden dress you bought her last year, but only because it was on sale. The two of you talk about anything, everything, and she laughs at one of the little things you say that no one else would even notice. Her laugh is bright and warm as the sunlight that had streamed through the classroom window that morning, and in your memory, she is glowing. Glowing like the star you had wished upon the night before you suddenly realize, with almost the exact same intensity. You remember it was that light that had you nearly blinded as school began for the day, and after that you hadn’t seen her until after school.3

Today is a day very much like that one you decide, as school ends for the day and you find yourself waiting outside the heavy doors. You have all your stuff and are ready to go home, but something is keeping you waiting. Something, you now know, is very precious to you. Something you want to keep by your side.4

And sure enough, soon Yellow is there. She bounds out the doors like a newborn fawn, her shoes nearly slipping off due to clumsiness and her bag almost falling from one fulvous hand. Her eyes shimmer with disbelief, because she can’t believe you actually waited for her. You don’t do that very often, because you’re not one to wait for things usually. You can’t help but give her a little smirk, pleased at having surprised her, and she blushes before laughing in embarrassment. It isn’t long before you turn away and start walking away from the school, and without looking back you are aware of the golden beauty’s presence at your side, chatting and chatting away.5

It scares you a bit, when you come to understand how much the annoying girl’s friendship means to you. Even though she drives you nuts with her light and her voice and her magic and all she does, she is also irreplaceable. Without her, you would not be a complete person, and because she is here you thank her for that. Yellow continues to drag on and on about the day in that sweet voice of hers, pulling out a bag of lemon cookies and offering you one, but before she knows it, you have changed again. She stops walking seconds after you do. A field overflowing with millions and millions of sun colored daisies spreads out before you, all different sizes, all different ages. Yellow’s mouth drops open as she stares out into the core of them. She is amazed. You smirk again, having to suppress a chuckle. Daisies. They mean innocence. And Yellow is the most innocent of them all.6

Yellow watches you in wonder as you wrap your fingers around the most exquisite daisy and gently pry the blossom from its stem. She looks at a loss for what to do as you hold it out to her. This is the perfect way to thank her. It couldn’t be more perfect. And no sooner has your friend reached out and taken the bright flower from you that you turn and start walking away again. Yellow, although she is lively, is deeply intelligent, and catches your secret meaning and unspoken words. She stares at the flower, knowing what it stands for, and flashes a silly, yet genuine smile as she hurries after you.7

Yellow is the color of the world. It is your color, your world. These are your thoughts as you tread hand in hand with Yellow into a sunset so brilliant, it swallows you.