The One

There are millions of people that come into and go out of our lives.

We will learn the names of hundreds of them.

We will befriend many.

We will learn from some.

Very few will make such an impact on us that it changes the way we think and act forever.

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It had been 21 years since I had been born, 11 years since my parents had split up, 3 years since graduation, and 1 since I had left the nest. College was now my life.

The atmosphere was intoxicating. My constant yearning for new and interesting information was being satiated on a daily basis. This is where I belonged. Now don't get me wrong, I hated doing homework and there were some lectures that I couldn't stay awake in, but just being there was heaven-like. The social mood also spiked my blood. I was never in the center of things, but just absorbing the vibrant energy from those around me was thrilling.

My favorite part of each day were those glorius three hours right in the apex of the day between my morning and afternoon classes. There was always something going on, even if there wasn't. One day it would be an impromptu dance fest, the next it would be people watching in the Hall of Flags. There was always something to do, something to see, someone's energy to latch onto.

Most people didn't appreciate my way of seeing things and many said things behind my back. The rest ignored me. But that was how it was supposed to be. It's the way it had been forever. Even I ignored myself, to caught up in the doings of others. I did it on purpose too. The only alternative to ignoring me was hating myself, and I'd been down that terrifying road once already. A failed suicide attempt only takes once to do it's job - scare the crap out of you so you'll never do it again. But that was long behind me. I was in ignorant bliss.

But the status quo is fluid. Everything you do and every one you meet drops a pebble in the pond, creating distortions and ripples. Changing what is absolute into 99%. I should have realized that what I considered nirvana was really distopia. But one snowflake starts the avalance, and it snowed that fall.

People don't realize what an impact they can have on others. Most wear bigotry, prejudice, and fear like body armor. They use intolerance as their weapon of choice. The enemy is anyone who isn't like them. But that girl in the hall wasn't part of the majority. I watched as she went down the row of chairs engaging with each individual or group that would let her. Most would leave her as she approached,  but she continued her rounds for over half an hour.

The dedication was inspiring. I was lost in thought when she took the seat by my side. Her sweet voice shook me from my reverie.

"Hi, my name is Amanda. What's yours?"

"I'm Mitch, nice to meet you."

"You too. So what are you studying? Are you from around here?"

"I'm just getting my generals out of the way for now. And no, I'm not from here. I grew up mostly in Oregon."

"That's cool. I'm a music major and I grew up in Idaho. You said mostly Oregon, where else hae you lived?"

"Believe it or not, a small town named Nampa Idaho."

"Seriously? I lived in Nampa most of my life!", she exclaimed, " What part of town did you live in?"

"I can't remember. We only lived there for 2 years while I was in kindergarten and first grade."

"Do you remember what school you went to?"

"Yeah, I think it was Lincoln Elementary."

"Wow. Small world."

"You're not going to tell me that you went to the same school are you?"

"I actually did. Isn't that nuts? Who knows, we could have been....."

"What's wrong?", I gingerly asked.

"You're name is Mitchell. I think I know you. You're my cousin."

Then it hit me. It had been in Nampa and Amanda had been the girl. It was 4 or five years before my parents divorced. I was already learning how cruel people are. Hand-me-downs and living in a handicap friendly house were unforgivable sins. The bus stop was my nightmares made tangible. Until one winter day the new girl became my savior, and cousin. She was the 4th grade tomboy and even the bullies gave her resentful respect. But even with all the dominion and control that a prepubescent could wish for at her fingertips, she chose me instead. From then on she was my protector, my elder cousin. Even when she wasn't there.

Though I hadn't seen her in years, 2 months before high school graduation, Amanda saved me again. When the swirling penumbra of my own self loathing engulfed my soul and its midnight tentacles dragged me to deaths gate she saved me. I saw her cherubic 4th grade face smiling at me. The gaze burned like a fiery brand. If she could see something in me worth protecting than I could find something too.

Back in the hall on campus, with hundreds of sneering spectators, I embraced the one soul that had impacted my life enough to make me decide to change it.