What You Don't Know Could Fill the Universe

Simon

I like who I am, for the most part. I'm not that weird geek that sits alone at lunch, or that jock who is super popular. I don't get invited to all parties, and I'm fine with that. My life is perfect. I have people to sit with at lunch, and people who want to sit with me just because of who I am. I don't ever hide anything because I have nothing to hide. I get good grades, and have a pretty good conscience. I guess that is why I noticed her. She was sitting in the part of the cafeteria that is outside reading a thick book while she ate her lunch. Almost no one else was there because it was almost winter, and in North Dakota, that meant freezing. She caught my eye from the moment I came in. Not that I like her or anything, I mean, she isn't ugly, but she isn't stunningly beautiful or anything. I guess it's just bright red hair is kinda noticeable when there is a layer of white snow on the ground with small footprints leading to the table where she is sitting. So yeah, I noticed her. And so did everyone else when Jack went outside and snatched the book from out of her hands. Backup a bit, who is Jack you ask, well I have a lot to say about him. Here is some words/phrases that describe Jack Fowling: Mean, Handsome, Impish, Average Intelligence, Bully, Popular, Rude, Thinks he is much more important than he actually is, people don't really like him, he can be nice (3% chance of that happening). So yeah, I think you can tell who this kid is. Ever since fifth grade, I have been watching him terrorize people, even me. The thing that really gets me about this is that no one ever stops him, I mean literally no one, not even teachers and parents. I had stood by while he did mean things even when I had the chance to stop him. I guess that is how I found myself to my friends protests jumping to my feet when he pushed her into the snow and started to lift his leg up to kick her. I ran as fast as I could to where they were outside and pushed Jack in the chest just as he was about to kick her in the stomach. He tripped over his feet and fell into the snow looking shocked. No one had ever done what I had just done, no one. Then I surprised myself more than him by helping the girl up. She looked at me and mouthed thank you, but there was a fire in her eyes and her cheeks were as red as her hair. She furiously turned to Jack where he still sat in the snow. She said some choice words I don't really want to repeat then turned to me and smiled. "Juniper." she said and stuck out her hand to me. She wasn't wearing gloves even though it was like 20 or 30 degrees F outside. I was already getting goosebumps, but she had no coat, scarf, or gloves. "I-uhhhh...I-" I mumbled. "Simon." I finally said as I hesitantly shook your hand. "Are you-uhhh....new?" I asked. God I sounded like such an idiot. Of course she was new! No one who knew Jack would ever have said those things to his face. Alos, in a smallish town, you know everyone's face. So of course she must have moved here.  " Oh! Uh yeah..." she said. Her voice was soft and a bit shy, yet somehow, she still seemed confident. She turned a bit red. "Bye Simon," she said as she rushed past me. I could have sworn I heard her say after that in a hushed tone, "Thanks for helping, I don't know if it was worth it...". I guess I'll never know.