Tuesday, April 29th, 2025, 2:50–5:00pm

By Noey B

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Click. I took the shot. Just came rolling uphill from Mt Pleasant High School. I went to the shopping center at White and Story back in December, yet my wheels treaded further towards Grand Century Mall. Go back an hour, I was getting flicks of residentials ‘cause the SAN JOSE TRIP required that nostalgia. Therefore I cruised through the East Side from Evergreen to Alum Rock.

Land owners don’t mind the skies with satellites and three-hundred-sixty-degree cameras driving through their plots, so why are you afraid of me? I’m just one guy...

Pine, the house is bloody brown with all its wood exposed. The crevices creep into the dirt and perked my interest for photos. The panorama strikes with detail, pointed as a thong. The home, although rotted, still brought the neighbor’s interest though, so he asked me, “What are you taking the photographs for?”

I replied with a bat, misfired back with “I just think it’s cool. Is something wrong with that? It’s my neighborhood, I want the photos for myself.”

But he still sways, “Be careful. People don’t like having their homes photographed,” and he goes up the road while I skate downhill past Mt Rainier Dr towards Mt Blanc.

Man, displayed colossal: giant belly, baggy shorts. Why’s he here again? I thought while his head grew eyeballs darting back towards my camera! Why’d he walk past down White Rd and turn around to tread some more? Wouldn’t you hit the gym? This is a busy street with stoplights lasting whole minutes. As I cruise while taking flicks, the corner directs to the left: Mt Pleasant Center along White and Story. Spot graffiti. Roughen sidewalks make the wheels wobble.

Workers plot cement on sheets above the sidewalk. Get off the skateboard. Plant your feet on the road with cones that tip with a gentle smack. Turn your head to Story Rd. Cars swerve into my section. Pray that they’re not on their phones. Recognize the Home Depot. Do you had the feeling when you’re in the zone? Where the sense of self is lost. The camera frames between my eyes ... Enclosed within two by three, blackness shapes reality. Stop the light. Claim the view... That putrid smell—

Don’t take the photo, alarm that there’s clearly the smell of death. As I approach the gap in the wall with bottles, the rank overwhelms my nostrils. Nonetheless, the camera calls me to click what perks my interest. As I approach the wall, the alarm flares my sight and the camera turns back to the depot instead.

Click. I took the shot. Just came rolling uphill from Mt Pleasant High School. I spot vans aligned in uniform with the Home Depot brand, and I stand open where the carts bump on yellow. As I prepare to go, a [____] skinny man steps to my direction and greets with Espanol. His face creased with lines while his voice rose to Mickey’s pitch. As I smirk at the joke. His hand twists. And dips low. Then transforms to the [____] sign—

I got a pit in my stomach. Drops in my lips. I should have never smiled so he knows I’m not from here. I plant my board as his back turns. Remove yourself from the area—[____] have eyes on you. Speeding down Story Rd. Watching out for eyes. Turning at Mt Pleasant Center for one last photo of the plaza in its entirety. I’ve been here before, it’s my community. Enters a car as I’m about to leave. He swerves within arm’s reach of slamming into me. He speaks the words, “I’ve seen you fool!” Am I not safe anywhere?

Speeds down White Rd. The pit, larger. The man. The Man?—His sight sees here?! The size of eyes: stalking, darting, following. Unless my camera is gone! Put IT out. Stomp on IT. Take the disc. And snap IT! Throw it out. Throw your board. Till the pit is no more. Take your eyes ... Stomp them out. Throw the pit. Throw the pit! Throw the PIT. Ask for help! Spot the Walgreens. Buy kombucha. Ask to drink it there. And thank the cashier. Sip it slowly. Lower your heat. Make sure no eyes are watching you. Speeds down White Rd. Stop for Yogurt. Eat it in the store. Text your dad some more! Melt it slowly. Lower your heat. Take the main road. You’re almost home! Make sure no eyes are watching you …

Slide the gate open ▮