The white rabbit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhy are you so down all the time?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Elisa looked down at the little white rabbit that had suddenly decided to speak up. Ignoring the shock of a talking animal, and the complete revelation that could be for the human race, she decided to reply. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBecause there isn\u2019t much going the way I want it to.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThen why don\u2019t you change what you want instead of trying to force things to move the \u2018right\u2019 way?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf it were that easy, little rabbit, I would. I doubt you understand the intricacies of the human condition.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou\u2019d be surprised.\u201d The rabbit hopped off of Elisa\u2019s lap and wiggled its cotton tail as if to say \u2018follow me\u2019. \u201cI\u2019ll show you the secret to happiness.\u201d He said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThen please \u2013 lead the way!\u201d Elisa replied, now certain she was dreaming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The rabbit led her away from her desk, out of the empty classroom, through the shards of light pouring into the corridor \u2013 and out of the fire exit. It led her past the courtyard, past the open field to the right of the school and through the AstroTurf court \u2013 the material beneath her feet almost seemed to melt under the radiant summer sun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Eventually they reached the woodland outside of the school, and then a beautiful clearing within that woodland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhy have you brought me to this lovely place, white rabbit?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The rabbit sat on its little round tail, and with surprising dexterity for a creature without opposable thumbs, began rolling a joint that it had pulled out of thin air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou looked like you needed a minute. Join me?\u201d He motioned to the spot behind him with the joint. There was a small roach tucked under his right ear, which he pulled out with his right paw.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Elisa sat beside him, questioning the imaginings of her mind, but enjoying them nonetheless.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSo-\u201c The rabbit sniffed along the joint, its little nose twitching and wiggling as it went along. \u201cWhat isn\u2019t going the way you want?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It stuck the joint in its mouth, and motioned to Elisa for her lighter. She doesn\u2019t smoke often, but sure enough, in her skirt pocket she found a zippo with a little rabbit engraved into the metal. The rabbit flicked it open, struck the flint, put a paw behind its head and relaxed against the tree.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Elisa was still sitting rather awkwardly next to his, her thumbs fiddling with one another whilst she rested her arms on her thighs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cJust\u2026 Everything. I don\u2019t know where I\u2019m going what I\u2019m doing, I don\u2019t have any dreams \u2013 thinking about the future is just\u2026 It makes me wish there wasn\u2019t one.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The rabbit took another puff, then handed the joint to Elisa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNormally the guinea pigs sort out problems with the future, but since he is busy doing whatever they do – I will have to suffice.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m happy it\u2019s you Mr. Rabbit.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThank you.\u201d He straightened himself, and put a paw on Elisa\u2019s hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m just tired of feeling lost.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThen change your perspective. You\u2019re not lost, you\u2019re on a grand adventure, going down secret temples and through confusing jungles. Stop expecting life to make sense. Stop wanting it, and instead of fearing what you do not know, start anticipating life\u2019s next wild surprise.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI guess. But what if the surprises aren\u2019t worth it? What if it\u2019s a death, or a horrible accident, or- or!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cShhh. Take a puff. Look up.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The sky was clear as can be, not a cloud in its blue canvas. It was so clear that Elisa felt like she could cause a ripple in its surface. She reached up, finger extended, and did exactly that. The ripple ran out across the circumference of the earth, and all the way back around to her finger. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCool.\u201d The rabbit remarked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHeh\u2026 Yeah.\u201d Elisa passed the joint back to the rabbit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen things aren\u2019t perfect, your mind focuses on everything bad that could happen, forgetting that good things you cannot predict also happen. Life cannot be mapped out, you\u2019re along for the ride \u2013 just remember that there are ups. Life isn\u2019t an endless downhill train wreck, though you may feel like it is sometimes. Remember that you can cause ripples.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWill I even remember this when I wake up?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI hope so, but for now, finish this and relax with me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Elisa nodded, and relaxed with the rabbit, letting the joint float her down, tear away her stress. She liked the rabbit; he was a cool dude. She hoped to meet him again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have to hop on now, but remember what we talked about ok?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSure.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Art by Kat:
Please check out their stuff!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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@slugkats on Instagram<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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