STREAK OF MADNESS
By Rosie Scrivello, DDS
*The real insight of the popular people*
What streak of madness lies inside of me? What is the truth my fears conceal?
With her tight-fitting tank top and short shorts, Gina Brown bounced into the cafeteria and sat with her friends. She hated those girls, really, they were so, gossipy… She just really wanted to be herself.. and not be so primped up 100% of the time. Sure it was great sometimes, but not all the time. And if she ever told these so called "friends" of hers, they'd make her the laughing stock of the whole school - pretty much a death wish for anyone in their school. Except for 12 people. The Freaks. They were laughed at ALL the time. She felt really bad for them, and wanted to be like them, and hang out with them; they were really great people. Smart, pretty, and they truly were best friends.
What evil force makes Gina Brown of me? What darker side of me does this reveal?
She hated to be Gina Brown. She has the best reputation in the whole school. She, according to the student body was, in a word, perfect. She got good grades (rare for popular people), she had nice hair, the works. But she just wanted to be herself. She could have so much more fun if she could just let her hair flow free and run with the wind.
Am I the girl that I appear to be? Or am I someone I don't know? Is there some monster drawing near to me? Becoming clear to me? Will what I fear to be, be so?
It was so. The Gina Brown everyone knew was a monster. Her hair was always the same, long and brown, and ALWAYS tied back in a tight ponytail. Gina hated that the most. It hurt her head and pulled her scalp. Her favourite part of the day was when she got home and undid her hair and let it hang down. She looked better, and felt better about herself. Her flawless skin was just an illusion that came to be so by some concealer. Her clothes were all fashionable, in-style, and designed. Expensive, as well. And as uncomfortable as hell.
What is this strange obsession that's tearing me apart? Some strange, deranged expression of what's in my heart!
Fake smiling at Katie, her "best friend", she pretended to gab about the new MTV show, or the new hot guy at school. Same ole, same ole. Everyone thought they knew her. They didn't know that she restored to such horrible things to get away from it all. And from this horrible obsession of "unreality", she contracted AIDS.
This is a deadly game I have to win! This is a fight I dare not lose!
Sure, she had AIDS, but she never told anyone. She snuck off to her doctor, and asked for an AIDS test, but when it said yes, she swore him to secrecy. He begged and pleaded that it was wrong thing to do. Gina claimed she'd tell her mother, with all her assurance and grace. But she wasn't going to. She didn't care. She may not like her life now, but she was going to fight the AIDS virus by herself. Her willpower was strong enough. She believed enough in the real Gina Brown.
I have an adversary steeped in sin who wages war within ways I can't begin to use…
The bell ran and another pointless lunch period was over. For some reason, with a new sense of pride, she walked over to the freak table, and said "Hi" for the first time to them.