My Life-Changing Stranger

Some people can go their entire lives without finding their life- changing person. I was lucky enough to find mine in the eighth grade.

I was the new kid at school. Coming straight from Zambia, I did not know much English, and sometimes went a whole day without opening my mouth to speak. No one really noticed me, even though I stood out in the almost all american school. I was tall - nearly six feet by the time eighth grade rolled around, and I was one of the only African people in the school - but I had kind of disappeared, amongst this world of sports, colorful backpacks and California blondes.

My life changing person, when I found her, was a short little girl, kind of stocky, with long braids down her back in my gym class. She was quiet, most of the time, except when she was with her friends. She was one of the only people who noticed me. She could always spare a smile for me, always had a compliment on the tip of her tongue.

She always included me in her volley- ball games, and I always played, despite the fact that I loathed volley- ball. It felt nice to be included. She was in my art class too, and always exclaimed over my work, telling me how good it was, even though It was obvious her's was much better.

We never spoke more than a few sentences to each other at a time, but she always seemed to be there. She introduced me to people who later became my best friends, and taught me more English.

With her help, I opened up a bit, talking to people, and answering questions in class. I would joke with my friends- the ones she introduced me to.

We were never more than peers - I'll admit I never learned her name, until it as too late.

I returned from school after Christmas break, looking forward to seeing her again, but she wasn't there. After a few weeks, with my new found confidence, I asked one of her friends from gym where she was. I knew at once that it wasn't going to be good, the way her friend seemed to be fighting back the tears.

"She was hit, by a car." the friend said, then took a deep breath, as if to calm herself. "The ambulance didn't get there in time."

I felt the floor falling beneath me. Dead? How could she be dead? I hardly knew her, but I found tears in my eyes. She had been so nice, and had such a good heart. I called after her friend, asking the girl's name.

"What? Oh, Ever. Her name was Ever."