Even as a kid, I learned how unsafe the world can be.

when i was like 11 or 12 my dad took me and my 2 sisters to the park. i remember i had on skinny jeans and this little white crop top type shirt. my dad and sisters went straight to the grass field to play softball and i was just doing my own thing riding my bike around the sidewalk.

at first it was just normal. i was going in circles, the air was hot but breezy, my sisters were laughing across the field. then i noticed this car parked on the side near the curb. in the passenger seat was some random guy, he looked maybe late 20s or early 30s. i didn’t think anything of it, i just kept pedaling.

but the next time i rode past he looked right at me and said “you look good.” i froze for a sec like did he just say that to me?? i was literally a kid. i tried to just keep riding but then he started saying “hey” over and over, calling me, trying to get me to come closer. and the way he was looking at me was nasty, like making weird faces that made me feel sick.

i remember my heart started beating so fast. i didn’t even want to pass by him again. i just turned straight back toward our car, threw my bike inside, and sat down in the back seat waiting for my dad. i didn’t even tell him right then, i was just sitting there staring out the window, watching that car and hoping the guy didn’t get out or come closer.

my dad and sisters were still out in the field laughing and playing like nothing was wrong and i just sat there, quiet, wishing we could leave already.

i didn’t say anything until later when we got home. i told my dad what happened and he was mad and asked why i didn’t tell him right away. i didn’t even know what to say, i just felt so uncomfortable and weird about the whole thing.

that’s literally one of those memories that stuck with me, cause it was supposed to be just a fun day at the park and instead it turned into this creepy moment i’ll never forget.