Jessa and I walked into the cafeteria, analyzing the choices
in our search of fulfillment. I went for the salad bar, as she decided that she
would get a quesadilla but she still stood in line with me as I ordered some grilled
chicken to top off the bland rabbit food on my plate. As I spoke with the guy
behind the counter, she wandered over to the other line in order to converse
with some, whom I assume to be classmates, girls that I never met. After I
ordered what I needed, I went over to stand in line in which I would retrieve
my selection. Jessa was talking to the tall strawberry blonde with large hand motions;
I feared she might hit someone. I had no idea what statistical mumbo-jumbo they
were speaking of, so my eyes wandered over the other girl in our newly formed
circle amongst the line of people getting their food. She had ringlet brown
hair with no makeup on. She was also wearing an Aztec looking sweater with a
dark flower skirt and brown boots. Normally, I wouldn’t have agreed with such a
combination, but, surprisingly, she made it work.
“I love
your sweater” I said, catching her attention from also trying to decipher our
mutual friend’s statistical mumbo jumbo.
“Thanks.
Yours is also fantastic.” She flashed me a huge smile as I looked down at my
light pink lettermen’s jacket.
She tucked
her hair behind her ear as I replied, “I have an obsession with sweaters. I
have tons more at home but I had to leave them there in order to bring back my
spring wardrobe.”
Her eyes
grew wide and she flashed another smile yet again while palming my cheek and
pushing it to face the other direction, “How unique…”
I looked
quizzically at her, the best I could with her pushing my face to the side, “Oh
sorry” she said, “Your nose piercing. It’s fabulous.”
Relieved, I
replied, “The three stones? Thanks.” I didn’t mention that the jewelry was from
Wal-Mart, or that I was too cheap to buy anything of worth.
This starts off so normal and real. And then boom! We realize why sometimes strangers should stay strangers. I think this is a really nice example of how people we don't know can be so strange to us. I believe if you had known this girl really well her pushing your face to one side would just be known as part of her personality. As an author you could have cut that part completely out and she would have seemed really normal and boring, but by having it in there we really see her come to life. I loved reading this.
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