Chairs

straightbacked for posture perfection

in neat rows

arranged up each step of the staggered blue-carpeted levels

sneakers and boots rooted

to the tiled floor

gray speckled white

Everyone's playing Christmas music

Christmas movies

break is in two weeks

we're already preparing our favorite meals.

And I'm lost.

Not good lost,

not lost in the holiday cheer -

I'm just depressed.

I've never understood the phrase

hopelessly in love.

It's in all the books,

it's on TV.

Characters meet their special someone and bam

they're free falling

but they have their safety nets