The Danger of Devotion

The Meeting

"Sheriff Arthur Discovers Decaying Body In River Bank"

Janice Jones. Seventeen years old. Honor roll student. Student council vice president. President of the chess club. Vice President of SADD. Vice President of helping hands. Co-Captain of the swim team. 3.99 GPA. Perfectionist. Motivated. Driven. Destined for greatness.

And then there's me. A lanky, clumsy, lazy seventeen year old kid. I barely get by in school, and am probably going to be stuck in this small old town for the rest of my life. That didn't stop Janice Jones from plopping down a pamphlet advertising one of her many clubs in front of my eyes. I didn't need to look up from the pamphlet to know it was her.

Her obnoxiously sweet voice rung in my ears, a sickly euphonious sound that came to haunt me.

She proceeded to ramble about how wonderful the diversity club was, only to trail off when she finally took notice that I was not paying her any mind.

To my dismay, she sat down across from me, her brow slightly crinkled as she peered curiously at me.

"I've never seen you before. What's your name?" I finally looked up. I noticed then that there were gray speckles in her icy blue eyes.

She quickly came to realize that I would not comply. She looked dejected. It was almost sad to witness.

I finally gave in, unable to bear the burden of her frown: "Aidan."

Her face immediately lit up and she instantly jumped on the opportunity.

"Hi Aidan! I'm Janice. Why are you sitting alone?" I will never forget her gentle curiosity when she asked this. That was the only reason I coughed up an answer.

"Prefer it that way." It was a mumble. I remember being surprised she heard it, but I was quick to learn that she was a splendid listener.

"How come?" I sighed. As you can probably tell, I am not much of a talker.

I merely raised my shoulders in response, which earned a quizzical look from Janice.

The following silence came as a shock, which forced my gaze upwards once again. Janice appeared thoughtful. Her eyebrows drawn together, her lip caught in her teeth. It was then that I knew I would love her one day. Crazy, brash, insane. Believe me, I know. But I also knew then and there that there was a unique and profound beauty to Janice Jones. I found myself entranced by her.

I took in every detail of her face in that one minute of silence before the bell called out for last period. She had an oddly shaped nose, small, but slightly crooked. Her little heart shaped lips would purse when she was unsure. I couldn't help but notice that her eyes often looked sad despite the smile on her face, and that she had a diamond shaped scar beside her right eye. Janice appeared startled by the bell, as if she were really and truly lost in thought.

"Well, goodbye then Aidan. It was lovely to meet you! See you tomorrow."

She said it as if it were a promise.