-1I Used to Look At Her
I used to look at her
My sister's best friend.
It was all the way back when I was only ten years old. She was fifteen.
She was around our house all the time. She came to see Raven, of course, but I stuck around for her. They thought I was annoying, but it was a start. At least she was noticing me.
I wanted to be around her. With her flaming red hair, and her sparking brown eyes, I was utterly captivated by her.
I called her my baby. She told me to leave her alone, but I couldn't keep myself from going back to her. Drawn to her like a moth to a flame.
When Raven and Eddie tried to get her as her class president, I was there to help out, even though she probably never realised. Maybe that was a good thing. I think I realised more than the others that she probably wasn't going to appreciate the outside help to get her votes, but on the offside that she did want the help, I wanted the praise from her too. And on the other hand I knew how much she wanted to be the president, and if it was what Chelsea wanted, I was happy to help.
I watched her at her school talent show. Dressed up in that tree costume. I heard people talk about how strange her idea was, but they weren't looking past the packaging. I understood how passionate she is about the environment, and how much she cares and makes everyone else want to care too. Everyone said my sister stole the show that night with her voice. There was only one voice I heard that night, certainly wasn't my sisters It was hers.
Sometimes she did things to help me. Well, to help Raven, but it was easy to pretend. Like the time when Raven thought mum and dad were getting a divorce. She was there with us trying to convince our parents to stay together. The thought probably didn't occur to her, but she wasn't just doing it for Raven. She was doing it for me too.
And at my birthday party. Everyone always liked Billy's birthday parties better than mine. Raven tried to make my party great because she was worried that I was going to hate her, but Chelsea didn't need to be there. But she was there and she was trying to make sure my birthday was great.
Let me tell you, my mind was never very far away from her.
It's been four years since I was in love with my sister's best friend. And even though we've become close friends over the years as we've both grown up, and matured, I'm not in love with her anymore. I've had other girlfriends. Danielle. Cindy. I'm sure she's had a line-up of guys who have liked her as well. In fact, I have no doubt about it. She's a great girl.
But sometimes I still look back on my memories of her and they make me smile. Because she was the first girl I liked.
Chelsea Daniels.
My sister's best friend.