Beauty Many people mistook 'beauty' as the attraction to oneself's physical appearance.

But to me, 'beauty' is a reflection of someone's heart. That beautiful heart that can make anyone melt with compassion. And the heart of someone that I have found in you. This is a story about a girl who died and found a true friend at the time she least expected: Never had I imagine something as beautiful as this before. To die so peacefully, I have lived such a fulfilling life. To learn, to behold, to love and last but not least, to meet you. Never had I imagine of meeting someone that have changed me from a being stuck under a nutshell and to find someone that had reach out to me completely, transforming me into something that I can never imagine to be. There is a saying that was one of my favourites and was one that I hated the most. "We may live up to 100 years and die but I want to live up till 99 only, because a day without you will be pointless." I love it and hate it at the same time because it shows the reflection of our friend ship. It does not mean I despise our friendship. No, I will never despise this friendship because even if you despise me some day, I will never despise you even though you would kill me. You have shown me great love in the world that no one has ever shown to me. Never will I ever despise such beauty of a wonderful creation of God. I guess this is what they meant that we are created in the image of God. You have always been there for me. I can still remember on the first day we met. I was a shy and lonely girl who had just moved from the first class to the second class. All of my years as a student, I was always constantly kept away from the world and my parents had always taught me to only focus on my own life and do not get involve in other people's lives. To despise the ones that are on top and to step on those who are trying to reach the top. But all of that changed when I met you. I had just arrived from my duties as a prefect. I was the last one to enter class and there was only one seat left. It was by the window and I had no partner. So, I thought to myself, "I guess I'm alone this year. I wonder how will I survive in this new environment?" Then, the teacher announced that we will be rearranged according to our heights in the classroom. I never cared much for any announcements by the teachers so I just carried on with it. Who knows? I might like it. Our class teacher then rearranged us according to our heights. Everyone was placed one-by-one, each to their new seat. I was staring into the forest when someone patted me on the back. It was my friend from my previous class. She snapped me out of

my gaze and I went to class with such sorrow in my heart. The teacher looked at me with a stern gaze and directed me to my seat. I gathered my things and moved to my designated seat right next to a bespectacled girl. She seemed decent enough, I thought as I placed my things on the table. I then turned my attention to the board when I heard the scratching sound of a pen against paper. I turned to my right to see the bespectacled girl writing something on a piece of paper. My first impression was... Whoa, did she have horrible handwriting? I had never seen anything like that in my life. It looked like an ancient relic being used again. I observed her carefully. She then turned to me. She smiled and asked, "Hey, there. Aren't you supposed to be in the first class?" I was annoyed by that question. I was practically cursing in my heart. "Why did I ever turned to her direction?" I thought as I gave my fake smile. I answered her truthfully and she nodded. She then continued her work. Throughout that whole year, there was never a day that she would disturb me with her crazy puns and wits. Exams came and I wouldl always try my hardest to maintain my grades but I cou ld never go a day without her craziness. It was somehow very addicting. I could feel my wall starts to break. The wall that I had been building ever since I entered school as a child. The next year, we had grown a little bit closer. We started to study together. Every time she had a problem in her studies, I would always be there to help. I can still remember the time when she asked me a math question on how to get the answer for the indices questions. I explained to her and her face lit up with excitement. Then, I felt something on my mouth. My lips curled up into a genuine smile and not some kind of business smile. For the first time, I felt happy after helping a friend out. My wall broke some more. Then, everything started to take a turn for the worse for me. The first term exam I received all C's for my results. That was when it hit me, I needed to spend less time with her. I started to build my wall again but every time I added a brick to it, she would easily kick it away. I gave up eventually. I just stared at the wall and watched as the wall broke down slowly. The next year, I finally got to know her much better compared to the last two years. She had the same preference as I did. She love old English classic books. From William Shakespeare to Enid Blyton. Slowly I became closer to her. The wall was then half gone as the days went by. I felt happier and happier. Every time the weekend came I could not wait to see her again on Monday.

I looked forward to everyday of my life because most of my life was being stuck behind bars of my room and burying my face with books. It was really a sad life for me . Days went by and months passed. My wall was now completely disintegrated. My life was beautiful, filled with beauty that was out of this world. Never did I imagine that death was at my door. At my death bed, you still came to me with a smile but I knew behind those smiling eyes, there were sorrow, pain and love. You have done your job. I enjoyed our adventure together. Now, go and I find someone else to do crazy stuff with. For our adventure ends here. Even though my eyes are now closed, I can see your crying face and I can't wipe them away, just close your eyes and I'll be there with you in your heart.
When you're feeling down and blue, And life is being cruel to you, Just remember you're not on your own, I'm always there you're never alone, You might not be able to see my face, As hard as you look around the place, But close your eyes and think of me, And before you know it there will be me, Keep me in the midst of your mind, And life will seem easier I think you'll find, So when life gets to dark to bare, Just close your eyes and I will be there.

Written by, Anne Marian Joseph 5Science 2