“So, why haven’t you talked to me much? I mean, it’s not like we’re best friends or anything like that, but it’s like you’ve been going out of your way to avoid talking to me at school. Does it have anything to do with why Tiffani came over kind of late the other night? Which reminds me, I’m surprised Em’s still talking to me. She was ready to kill me for not getting involved in the fight between you and Tiff. Em thought I should try to end the fight, but I said you guys would work things out. Is that what happened?” AJ asked.

Wryly, Ophelia observed, “You certainly are verbose when faced with peculiar situations.”

“No, I’m concerned. Is there something I did? I’m sorry, whatever I did. God, I sound like my sister, kind of.”

“Trust me, it’s not your fault. I was doing it to prevent more fights between me and Tiff.”

“Huh?”

“Told her I’d keep away from you to keep the peace.”

“Why?”

“Because she was ticked that you were more interested in me than in her!” Ophelia snapped.

“She doesn’t know me all that well, then. I care about you, sure, but I care about her and Em a lot, too. I just care about all of you differently?”

“How so?”


“Well,” AJ began, “Emily’s my sister. No matter how old we get, in my mind, she’s always going to be the shy, quiet little kid she was when we were in kindergarten, who was afraid to talk to anyone except me but was smarter than the rest of the kids in her class. She’s always been the person I’ve gone to for advice because even if she hasn’t had personal experience with what I have, I know that she’s going to suggest something that’s ultimately the best choice in the matter. I have a great deal of respect for her, even though we’re really different, and I’m very protective of her.”

“Well, that’s nice and all, but what about me and Tiff?”

AJ thought for a second. “Tiff… well… she makes me smile, makes me laugh. She makes me feel better about myself. She’s a pretty dramatic change from most of the chicks I’ve dated in the past.”

“Skinny, stupid bimbos?” Ophelia suggested, smiling a little.

“Exactly. I’m ashamed to admit it, but I went more for looks than intelligence. And, initially, that’s why I went for Tiff. She’s a pretty girl, just not pretty in the same way the other girls were. And she’s not stupid by any means, even though she tries to hide what she does know. She’s still afraid of looking ‘uncool,’ I guess, even now. And she’s got a good personality. I enjoy being with her.”

“Okay, fine. I guess that makes sense.”


“And you… well, back when we first met, I thought the whole ‘unique rebel’ thing of yours was an act. You know, to get attention, and that you actually wanted to be cool but were basically trying to say ‘I’m too cool to be one of you mindless fashion-loving popular people.’ But… well… after a while, I really came to respect you as a person. I realized that you were being honest about who you were, that you weren’t just dressing like that to be cool or get attention, but because you actually did like looking that way. I also thought it was really admirable that you were willing to stand up for what you believed in, even if it wasn’t the most popular opinion. Like, for instance, when you stood up for Emily at the beginning of the year.”

“You heard about that?” Ophelia asked incredulously.

“Yeah. Your friend Mae was complaining to everyone about it. And then, when you stood up to the cheerleaders not long after that. And, by the way, I heard about you knocking that cheerleader out at the dance. Very cool. Point is, you’re a pretty amazing person, by any standards. You know yourself, you’re intelligent, you have a good bit of confidence, you have a strong sense of personal ethics, you have a great personality, and you’re very attractive. In fact, all of those things make you a little intimidating.”

“I’m not as great as you think I am,” Ophelia replied, rolling her eyes. “I’m just the weird chick who gets good grades and hangs out with the other weirdoes.”

“Not to me, you’re not. You’re… I don’t know. You’re the kind of chick who’s not all that appreciated in high school, since everyone’s too immature, but once you hit college, you’re going to be really well-liked. You’re going to be someone important, and… well… I really respect and admire you. You’ve accomplished more in your life than I have. I guess…” AJ broke off, chuckling awkwardly.

“What? You guess what?”

“I guess you’re the kind of chick I’d want to date, but, at the same time, I’d be afraid of totally ruining things with.”

“Why’s that?”

AJ shrugged and responded, “Because I’m just a stupid jock who likes women a little too much.”


Ophelia laughed and patted AJ’s arm. “Don’t say that,” she said. “You’re a nice guy, and you’re really funny. And you’re definitely not a stupid jock. There’s a lot of different ways to be smart besides the traditional way. Everyone has some way that they’re smart.”

“I guess, but you and Em really lucked out. You two get really good grades, and can probably go to the college of your choice.”

Ophelia chuckled and responded, “Actually, I was accepted at North Oakdale. I got the letter the other day, and unless I fail all of my classes this year or get into some horrible accident, I‘ll be going to school there in the fall.”

“As smart as you are? Why are you going to that dump?”

“I want to stay local, and I like what the college has to offer.”

“Well, I guess you’ll be seeing me and Em a lot. We’re going there, too.”

“Wow, that’s great! Maybe Em and I can be roommates.”

“If that’s the case, I’ll be sure to visit a lot,” AJ replied.

“Don’t you think Em’s going to be tired of seeing you every day?”

“Well, I’ll be coming to see both of you, obviously.”

“Won’t Tiff be jealous of all the time you’ll be spending, though?”

“Tiff’s going to the state college. She said she wants to study journalism or something like that. Besides, she can’t tell me who I’m going to hang out with. I can be friends with anyone I want to be, and that includes you.”

“Yeah, I guess,” Ophelia said slowly. Then, eager to change the subject, she added, “So, what do you and Em plan on studying?”

“Em wants to go into the psychology program, I think. And I want to go into the pre-med track.”

“Seriously? That’s going to be really hard work, you know.”

“Yeah, I know. But I know if I work hard enough, I can get good grades. I just need to get away from the whole… you know… mindless athlete group. Just totally divorce myself from them. If I do that, I should be fine.”

“Well, then, best of luck to you.”