In Memory

1: Stay Beautiful

You're beautiful, every little piece love
And don't you know, you're really gonna be someone.

Ask anyone.

And when you find everything you looked for

I hope your love will lead you back to my door.

Oh, but if it don't, Stay beautiful.

- Taylor Swift

She was finally back in her hometown after a soul-crushing two years of self-loathing and heartbreak. She was finally back with the friends she had left behind. It was a second chance in life; a free "do-over" to build herself back into the person she was before the dark times.

     But it was still a new high school she found herself attending. Though she could make out a few familiar faces,there were still many ones she didn't know. A bit intimidating, at least for her. But she was determined to make this work. This was her second chance- she would do things right.

     It was time for first period. She made her way into the classroom, and she started her normal observation of her surroundings. She felt like the odd one out; everyone seemed to know each other. The only solace she had was knowing that in this English class, she would succeed as a writer. Words always seemed to be easy for her to form into creative patterns. It was her way to truly express what was on her mind. Yes, she knew she would do well in this class.

     As the weeks passed, she started learning who was who and what was what at this high school. She was adjusting well and was enjoying her time making new friends- even being able to be friendly with the popular ones. Something that seemed to help was her English teacher's seating arrangement, which would be rearranged every six weeks. She found that to be highly convenient.

     Then came the day she got seated next to him. In the beginning, she thought nothing of it- it was just a normal seating arrangement switch. All she knew about him was that he seemed to be part of the popular crowd. She didn't give him the benefit of the doubt that he'd ever even talk to her, to give her the time of day. It was supposed to just be a normal seating arrangement switch.

     But times like this show how little we know about how life will turn out.

     During those initial six weeks, she came to learn about this boy. This wonderful, charming, funny boy. His smile warmed her heart, his laughter was contagious, his kindness exuded effortlessly. He became a highlight of her day.

     You could only imagine her joy when her teacher either forgot to make another seating change or was just lazy and left the arrangement as it was currently. She didn't know the reason. All she could concentrate on was that it meant another six weeks she could sit next to him.

     Her feelings aside, she could see how special this boy was. And the fact that she had extra days to get to know him as a person, as a friend...it brought her a great amount of joy.

     Eventually the seating arrangements changed, but it didn't matter. She ended up with a new friend. A friend who ended up being the sweetest, purest person she had known. And nothing could go wrong. She was on top of the world.