i am the outsider

I'm just watching.
Arms folded, chest heaving in and out in shallow breaths, eyes open.
Just watching.
Just taking it all in.
Just listening to their incessant banter about his favorite TV show, the guy she likes, the baseball game they won, the days left of school.
I am stock still. Nobody sees me. I'm in the shadows, but completely exposed to the light.
Silent, but screaming.
I lean forward in an attempt to push myself into their shallow conversation.
But, their backs are turned, their eyes averted.
See what I mean? I told you I don't belong here.