Lunch comes finally after two unimaginative classes with lessons I will forget within weeks, months of digestion. I sit down at our crowded table of friends, ready to talk and laugh about petty things as usual. The normality of today however, is turned upside down as I hear sneering words being spit in my face. The girl sitting across from me begins to insult my beliefs as she says atheists cannot have morals. For a belittling moment I feel inferior to humankind at being labeled immoral. Then I awake to the reality of her ignorant remark and empowerment to stand up for my rights as a person fills me.

I am ready to defend myself, the friend sitting next to me and all other who are nonreligious, but as I do so I realize the perpetrator's ears are closed. She is not listening. I cannot change a mind already made up. She will not be moved to accept how I feel and I sink back in my seat with a burning scar of rage left inside me. Knowing people are looking down upon me because of my beliefs is a realization that begins to spoil my whole day like spilled milk left to rot. The rest of my lunch hour is ruined.

Third and fourth periods drag on until I am finally set free with the ringing of the last bell. Independence! I savor the moment and hurry to get my things so I can leave. I go to the band room and pick up my music. Robert is waiting there for me. He knows from my e-mail last night that I am going to work today and I know as we walk out together that he will offer me a ride. I accept when he does offer and feel secretly happy that I can escape this dreadful place brightened with companionship.

The two of us walk together out of the building and cross the street as we head for his car. He systematically takes my hand and we transcend into a comfortable place. I am free from the dullness of school and away from any uncomfortable confrontation. There are no debates about religion or morality, only simple talk about each of our lives. It is a welcomed safe harbor to come to at the end of a spoiled day.

We reach his car, get in and drive off while the small talk continues. All too soon I am at work, my second prison. I get out of the car, say a quick goodbye and thanks but he stops me. He says he wants to tell me something and asks if I can get back in for a bit. I agree, knowing that I am not expected at work for another ten minutes. We drive into the public parking lot and he turns off the car. I feel suddenly uncomfortable and in my mind only terrible things seem possible.

I sit there nervously as the strangeness increases. He begins off into a babbling conversation about how he likes me and how he has been waiting to kiss me. I am relieved that this is the reason he wanted to talk to me. At the same time I am squirming in awkwardness as we sit there talking about kissing as if it were as natural as our band music. After nearly planning the whole thing, it happens and in one moment my day is transformed from the ordinary to one that will live in memories. A sudden rush comes over me and I forget every dreary and bitter moment of the school day as I am swept into the present moment of amazement.

After a few minutes I get out of the car and casually walk into the office building where I will spend the rest of my afternoon. Work is normally dull, but today it is two busting hours as I go about my office duties. There is no one to talk to, no place to let out my secret. I have to sit there feeding old legal documents to the paper shredder and keep everything locked inside me as if it isn't even there. I wonder can anyone tell? Did I come in and pass the receptionist with an especially beaming face? I have so many mixed feelings that I cannot let my mind sit still and I wait in turmoil for the clock to signal it is time to leave.

At home I rush to the sanctuary of my bedroom and turn on music, letting myself unwind to the words of Jewel or the Beatles. Sitting down on my bed with a battered notebook I pour out my soul in words that describe the unexpectedly wonderful day. I hardly remember the incident at lunch as the memory of the kiss lays fresh in every corner of my mind. It is only a Thursday, an ordinary day for everyone else that will melt into all the other days this week. Tomorrow I will walk down the halls at school, still the quiet one. Only tomorrow I will have a secret, hidden deep within the unspoken, unnoticed person that everyone sees. **by Alison from Colorado

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