My name is Lawrence Tudgeman. I am nineteen years old, and today is the end of an era in my life. I realized today that I am not the smartest person at this college. That honor belongs to a girl named Veronica Summers, as do a lot of other admirable qualities.
I was in the library a few weeks ago, rifling through a history book, which I was feeling rather passionate about. It had just occurred to me, like it does to every history student at one time or another, that the world is never, ever going to solve all of its problems. "Why does God hate this planet!" I shouted, causing twenty med students to shush me simultaneously. Veronica, however, came over immediately, seeming to understand my dilemma.
"Chill, it's only a freshman studies class. If you major in politics, then you can get excited. Besides, the Israelis will eventually ally with the Muslims, who will get the Europeans on their side, who will eventually convince the Asians, and after the US blows itself up, boom! Instant World Peace!" It was the strangest thing, but after a few minutes, I realized that she was serious, and what's more, she had evidence for this theory! I hadn't noticed her in class because she was so quiet, but now I know that she was just trying to think of things on her own. Really, she knows everything.
I want to hold her and run my fingers through her coconut-colored hair and look at her all day. I know that sounds like a stupid, fourteen-year-old thing to say, but I can't explain it any better. If it makes me sound more like a college student, I'll say I want to do other things, but I have too much respect for her for that. This is nothing like Kate. This is nothing like anything. I think I'm in love.
Maybe she feels the same?
Ever hopeful,
Lawrence Tudgeman.