Even then I knew he was already gone. My non-friend, perpetually estranged. Right in front of me. Nolan. Pale as moonlight, unkempt hair, thin as the horizon. Caught in the tractor beam of an elevated mood. It all came undone that night at the jetty.
We lived in a coastal town with a coastal town’s name. A California dead-end. And I’m the only one who’s still living here. Maybe because I was the youngest. Maybe I just got stuck. I try not to think about it. Our graffiti has been painted over now. Our old haunts are tourist attractions. The abandoned bridge where Nolan predicted I’d crash my car; I’ve seen graduation photos taken there. Annie was in my passenger seat. Nolan drove her home.
Issue 7
COASTAL BLUR
Mateo Omar is a writer, photographer, and artist currently based in San Diego county, California. So far his writing and poetry have been published in Mixed Mag, Gypsophila Zine, and Rise Up Review. His written work is often autobiographical and deals with themes of identity and coming of age.