She watched him from a corner of the room –

head down, pen in hand,

eyes trying to remain focused on the

paper in front of him –

struggling –

forever struggling.

At sixteen,

he had seen his share of trouble –

drugs,

family difficulties,

problems with the police…

but from their private conversations,

she understood his rebellious spirit…

he sought permanence –

permanence in a world where

nothing endures except change.

For a brief moment, he looked up

and their eyes met.  He gave her that

cocky grin – the one that used to make

her want to smack the hell out of him…

but she smiled in return,

for she was wiser now.

Because when you live in a world

where change has been the only

constant in life,

you more often than not

cling to your armor –

cocky grin no exception.