The Student News Site of Monta Vista High School

El Estoque

The Student News Site of Monta Vista High School

El Estoque

The Student News Site of Monta Vista High School

El Estoque

To: the boy at the library

Dear stranger,
It’s a hot summer day, I’m sitting by myself and you have caught my eye. I noticed you because you are the only person here looking at the bookshelves. It seems a little ironic because we’re in a library, but nevertheless, it sets you apart. You look a the top shelf first and bend down gradually as you scan the lower shelves.  It is almost like you want to really make sure you see every title, but sometimes you just go back to the top when you have just finished. You don’t seem to trust your own actions. Looking around, I think you wish there was someone here for you to talk to, or a group of friends you could join. But you don’t see anyone. And you don’t look very comfortable being by yourself.

I think you are Chinese, with a slim frame and close shaved hair, the type of person one would generally find in the teen section of the library studying with their group of friends. You are wearing a white shirt and blue basketball shorts, an outfit that I have seen at least two other boys here wearing today. Even though you are just looking at books, you often look around behind your shoulders as if to check if anyone is looking at you, but no one is. Well, besides me. You are afraid of being set apart because you would rather blend in with the crowd. I wish you wouldn’t think that, stranger. After reading all those books, I bet you are really interesting to talk to. It’s like you think that being the only person looking at books at the library will make everyone around you think you’re a complete social outcast. Don’t fret, stranger. If I weren’t writing about you, I would join you.

Strangely enough, you remind me of a lone ant on the pavement I once saw that had lost its way. I remember it scampered around in random formations trying to find its way back to the group. Even though you are trying to find the rest of your colony, I doubt you need them. You do not need to be an exact copy of everyone else to be accepted, stranger. In fact, I’m sure it would be better if you expressed your true self a little more often. If I noticed you because you were just a little different from everyone else, imagine if you showed off your real personality all the time! Sure, you would be quirky and strange, but sometimes, stranger, being different brings people to you. And I think that’s what you really want. Looking at your face, your expression suggests you feel a little lonely, but by now you’re used to it. You’re often apart from the rest, but you want to try to fit in.  Don’t worry, stranger, you’ll be okay.

You’re leaving now, and I feel like I should wave goodbye since I have gotten to know you so well. But I don’t want to creep you out, so I’m just going to let you go. I think you will be fine by yourself, stranger. I hope you find out someday that you don’t have to follow everyone else’s patterns. Don’t let anyone else’s behavior dictate what you do! Live outside the box! In the end, I hope you’ll be happy.

Best wishes,
Amelia

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