Strangers become lovers

She walked into school in her crisp new uniform. The white-starched shirt and sparkling new keds. The other kids knew she was new even before she could say "Hi". Who has such new clothes mid-year, anyway?

I know what it is like to be that new girl in school. I know what it is like to be new anywhere. It is frightening to you and threatening to the rest of them. You could be smarter, better at sports, steal their best friend, snatch a boyfriend, a crush, become a teachers pet. The possibilities are endless.

But then something really interesting happens, always. It always happens when you least expect it. Someone walks up to you at the college cafe, at a friend's house party, at a work event, and strikes up a conversation without judging you, your skin colour, your sex, your background. They just want to talk, engage, get to know you. And, you realise in that moment, you are not invisible.

This complete stranger places trust in you, and you in turn reward them with your selfless love. It starts this beautiful something that can last through phone calls, skype chats, late-night drunk texts, Facebook links that go-21 reasons why your favourite movie is the best.. or, some such thing. You smile every time a song you once danced to with them on a really shitty day comes on the radio or at the club and you feel an instant warmth, like someone took you in on a cold, cold day and gave you a hug.

This stranger has now become a part of your memories, a part of your personality, a part of your food/drink choices. You did not just wake up one morning loving Rum and coke. She gave you the right proportion and you loved it. Maybe it didn't taste great but you liked it anyway because she looked so happy fixing it for you and then you grew into it. You don't know this but you and this stranger are closer than most childhood friends. Thick as thieves, you know that you can reach out to them on a day that your work/love life just felt like it was going nowhere, you are scared to discuss it with anyone else because it seems too scary to acknowledge it. But, this stranger, from their distance, through that ....typing on gtalk or whatsapp makes you feel like you are not alone.

You don't know this, but you and this stranger are the rare truth that life has offered you and your many million little 'somethings' are more meaningful than the big, grand 'everythings' you see everyday.