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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Illustrate the meaning of "A Man is Known by the Company He Keeps" (without using the actual phrase). (01/31/08)
“Jessica, Mrs. Blake called from school and wanted to know if you could help tutor a new girl in math. It seems this girl is having quite a bit of difficulty in adjusting to the change from her old school, and struggling with math is making it that much harder. Do you think you can help her?”

Jessica turned her head so her mother would not see her roll her eyes, but she was thinking that the last thing she wanted to do was spend time working with this girl. No one liked her. Although the new girl, Allison, was a sophomore and she was a junior, her friends had told her the girl was really dumb. Beyond hope was what they had said. Everyone laughed at her in math class because she didn’t know anything. Still, Jessica didn’t want her mom or Mrs. Blake to think she was being a snob, so she spoke in her most sugary tones, “Tell Mrs. Blake I’m really busy right now, but I’ll do my best to try to find time to work with Allison.” Jessica recognized the heaviness in her gut as guilt, but determined to ignore it.

“I’m going over to Jen’s house now, Mom,” Jessica called out as she grabbed her keys and ran for the door. “We have a project to work on for school. We’ll grab a bite for supper. I’ll see you later tonight.”

The slamming door wasn’t fast enough or loud enough to drown out her mother’s sigh. Jessica knew her mom did not approve of her new friends, but she liked being friends with all of the popular kids at school. For the first time in her life, she really felt like she was somebody. She was not the person being put down, but the person who could pass judgment on others.

Jessica really did mean to make at least a perfunctory attempt to set up a time for tutoring with Allison, but time passed and life always seemed to get in the way. There was just too much to do, and knowing what her friends would say about her helping “Miss Stupidity” (as they called her) gave her even more reason to let the issue slip.

When Mrs. Blake summoned Jessica to her office, she immediately began conjuring up excuses to cover why she had not begun working with Allison. However, seeing Mrs. Blake’s face as soon as she stepped through the door stopped Jessica’s excuse mill short. There were tears forming in the corners of her eyes as she indicated Jessica should sit in the chair in front of her desk.

“I guess you didn’t find time to work with Allison, did you Jessica?” Jessica merely shook her head negatively. “I didn’t think so. I had called you because I thought you might show her some compassion. She came here very emotionally fragile. As students have made fun of her and called her stupid because she has a learning difference, she has given up on herself altogether. She has attempted suicide.”

“Is she going to be OK?” Jessica knew it sounded lame, but she was desperate to know that Allison would make it.
“Her mother is at the hospital with her right now. She says the doctors believe she will make it, but she has no will to live.”

Jessica knew exactly what she needed to do, and obtained permission to leave school and go to the hospital.

“This is really hard, Allison, because I know you think I belong to the crowd of kids who have been making fun of you, but I really don’t. Two years ago I almost lost my life because of an eating disorder. A friend invited me to church and I became part of the youth group. I gave my life to God, and that group of people has always been there for me. Lately, I’ve been acting like someone I’m not, and even I am having trouble recognizing the real me. It felt good to have the “popular” kids like me. I guess I forgot how much it hurts when they target you and say mean things to you. First of all, I want to ask you to forgive me. Then, if you and your mom will agree, I will ask my youth pastor to come and visit you. Some of my real friends will come, too, and you can find what it’s like to belong to a really great group of people. OK?”
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Laury Hubrich 
02/09/08
This is a well-written story. Good job. If your intended audience is teens, I would not use too big of words, such as perfunctory. You have a good lesson here. Keep on writing!
Laury
Julie Arduini
02/12/08
Any teen could relate to this. It was compelling, great job!