If Love Were Lightbulbs

Tip Toes

How do you make up for the bad things you've done to people?

How do you make people react positively towards you?

How do you become likable?

Buster
To be honest my past is a very bleak one. My past defined me but it's time I changed that definition.
I mean I am very willing if you ask me but I just need a bit of help.

You know, when my Dad left my Mom for a stripper we became practically broke because we depended most on him for almost everything. He was tall, good looking, and had lots of talents he could qualify for any job, my Mom on the other hand could only qualify to be a teacher at a kindergarten school, due to the fact that she only obtained a degree in English language, in college

Money was very difficult to come by,
We went borrowing from people and trust me we looked worse than those on the streets begging for money.
I therefore had to quit the high class school I attended and enroll in we-don't-think-you-can-be-whatever-you-desire-to-be kind of school. I felt really Inferior to others, which is the opposite of what anyone would expect. Similar to the feeling you get; when you ignore the not-well-to-do dudes because you're rich and feel they aren't just your class and level. And the unfortunate happens and you go broke and then their the dudes you have to roll with now.

So I just couldn't be anyone's friend. Because they all knew how I ignored them when I was rich and happy.
I guess I deserve the unwelcoming treatment I get everyday. I survive through school by Mom's meagre salary. You must Imagine how happy I felt when Adrianna approached me.

Another day means another school at Parkinson's High School. Well now at least I've got a reason to go to school. Guess? Of course you got It wrong. It's "Adrianna".

" Hi Mom", I said

"Hey Bastard".she said

"It's Buster not Bastard, how can you not know the name you gave me?"I asked.

"It's the man you call your dad who gave that to you. You became something, in between a relationship that did not work, what do you expect to be called?"she said.

"Whatever Mom. I'll see you later, gotta head to school".I said

Like being called a Bastard by my Mom wasn't enough! I was being celebrated at school today. At least people did care to exchange pictures and videos of me sleeping in the hallway the other day. I wasn't hurt. It was a feeling I'd longed for. I guess there is truth in the saying that "you're not important if people don't talk about you". Ignoring the faces pointed towards my direction and eyes fixed In their sockets, like I was up against zombies, I moved past the cluster of people and searched for one particular person..

*Bell Rung*

Too bad.. Too late ..time for first lesson.

Biology. With
Mr. Sebastian the self acclaimed girls favorite. Tall ,slim and goofy cheeks..he Is known to make Biology fun.

"Class lets take this joke as an example
After the joke tell me if these two gentlemen are genetically alike or it's just child play. Two gentlemen were stuck on the roof of a high building. The first one had some spirit in him and was ready to jump over to the next building which was quite a distance. The second gentleman was not up for it. The first gentleman did not want his plan rejected so he came up with another. He said" I've got a flashlight and here's what we're gonna do. I'll put on the flashlight so you can walk, from this building to the next and when you're there you'll do same for me. The second gentleman was up for it but he thought to himself and said." I'm not a kid and I'm not a fool. You think I'll trust you because I know very well when I reach halfway across you'll turn off the flashlight"

The class roared with laughter,and if there was someone outside he or she would think I'm the reason: because of today's activities. Mr. Sebastian continued

"So does this mean they are genetically alike or It's child play. Majority voted for genetically alike because it would make sense to choose biology related stuff in a biology class. Even though they felt the answer was otherwise.

Class ended a short while after . The atmosphere outside did not change a bit. People still stared and the 'unknown' still ignored. I went to the cafeteria to get something to eat and also a place to read and draw some cool stuff.

A while after someone joined me. I was too engrossed in the reading to notice but it was very rare so I kind of peeked a little above the book. Gosh! She's been stalking me. She goes "Finding Nemo" on me and she finds me effortlessly. "Hi Buster" she said. I hesitated .

"Umm hi Addy, how are you"I asked.

" I have been better, yourself?"she asked.

" Just surviving the current attack"I said.

" Which attack?"she asked.

"Have you not seen the videos and pictures of me being circulated, like the school was some whole circulatory system and the pictures and videos was the blood".I asked, totally puzzled she hadn't seen them.

" Sorry to hear that but I did see some, it wasn't as bad as you think"she said.

" Anyway thanks for caring . Would you mind sneaking up on me in my phone instead of in real life.", I said

"Are you asking for my number?,(she chuckled) I bet I should go listen to "hey I just met you, and this is crazy, but here's my number...duh-duh-duh-duh-duh" she sang and gave me her card.

" Thanks",I said cheerfully

"Welcome",she replied

"I've got to head home or I'll become one of the characters in the living dead"I said.

"Okay but before you go, I think the reason you think people don't really like you is because you're too self centered and you do not "Do unto others as you expect them to do unto you' the golden rule.' ",She said.

I thought so long I felt like Sherlock in his mind palace. I then realized the truth I'd been missing on. I decided to put in effort in my relationships to find out if people responded positively.

I started apologizing, writing speeches, drawing on expensive cards, buying gifts, lending helping hand whenever possible, being polite, being generous and nice. I had a totally different game plan now!

"Adrianna is really something else" I thought to myself. She was the step I needed in the right direction. I guess I finally succeeded in changing The definition. My Past doesn't define me anymore.

I texted her a thousand "thank you for being an angel" with that I drifted off.