Random Bits of My Brain

Looking Deeper

Christy's diary

So I met Michael's girlfriend.

She's nothing special.

She's average looking, average intelligence, and average everything else.

So I ask Christina,"why is Michael with such a plain girl?" In my head, I was matching up the angelic brunette with a model-type girlfriend.

Christina merely looked at me. And with feeling. So much I felt I would drown.

"She sees deeper. She can uncover who you really are. She strips you down to your core and helps bring out the real you." Then, she swept an arm around the table full of laughing, joking students. Across sat Diana. The average girl. Looking at the table from afar, you would see a group of chattering friends with a girl quietly watching them. And you'd think she was the outsider. But up close, you could see that not a single person ignored her. They almost migrated around her, like she was the sun and we were mere asteroids. Michael just watched her, love in his eyes. "A year ago, you wouldn't recognize these kids."

Looking over at Christina with confusion, I asked,"why?"

Christina smiled at me, her eyes lightly glazed with a slight sheen of tears. "Because she saved them. Darren"-at this, she nodded at the gorgeous blonde-"was suicidal. He was also the captain of the JV water polo team. No one knew. Only Diana saw who he really was. She saved him."

Seeing the breathtaking athlete in different light, I looked closer and saw the way he'd occasionally look over at Diana, almost protectively. Not in a way that said he was in love with her, just that he wanted to keep her safe.

Suddenly, Diana swept her legs over the edge of the bench. No one did anything to stop her, they just sat back and watched. Diana strode confidently across the courtyard, her feet bringing her to a small group of boys who were hovering around a girl. Perplexed as to what she was doing, I looked around the table. But in that split second, chaos had broken out. Diana held a boy who was clearly the leader of the trio by the neck of his blood-stained t-shirt, more blood dripping from his nose. From where I was, I could tell she was threatening him. Glancing over at the girl, or rather victim, I saw that she was clutching her bag, relief clear in the way she watched Diana. As the fragile blonde's sweater rode up, light scars along her arm shone in the late afternoon sun.

Obviously done with the leader, Diana shoved the shriveled boy to the side and turned to his lackeys who ran away. Reaching a hand down to the blonde, Diana smiled gently and when the girl took her hand, pulled her to our table.

"Hey Darren." Hearing his name being called, Darren turned in the direction of the soft, melodic voice. "Can you move over a bit? Stephanie needs a seat."

Stephanie blushed bright red when Darren flashed her a charming, moved over, and patted the seat next to him.

Smiling at a job accomplished, Diana strode back over to Michael, who grabbed her arms and face worriedly, checking her over. Laughing a little, Diana took his head and gave him a light kiss on the lips.

"Eww!" I heard Gina, the short cheerleader squeal. "No PDA at the table!"

At her words, Stephanie giggled a little, causing Darren to watch her protectively, giving her arm a light squeeze.

Diana merely smiled, her eyes roving the table. When she reached me, she nodded in acknowledgment and almost instantly, her eyes developed a slight cage.

I smiled back and nodded as well.

This average girl has earned my respect.