I stare out my window, head resting tilted on folded arms, as dusk slowly turns to night. As the last ray of light dissipates on the horizon, a reflection of a girl appears on the glass. Who is the girl I see? I gaze into her eyes, and see more than what meets the eye.

             The reflection shows a softened image of her face. Dark hair streaked with blond, with about a month's worth of roots, smooth skin, large eye outlined with long lashes, darkened by circles beneath. She presents her upturned nose with embarrassment, although her pouted lips often suggest disdain instead. With each passing moment, her personality becomes clearer, transparent like the glass she is reflected on.

             In her soul, I see paradox personified. The loud mouthed girl who goes over her thoughts three times before speaking a word. The typical teen that throws every article of clothes she owns on her bed but documents each day in her perfectly organized planner. The child, who spins in circles to make herself dizzy, screaming made up words to the wind, but later sits alone and silent on her bed, writing an introspective paper about herself. She doesn't often show her true self to anyone, although, for some reason, she chooses to let me in. I see her habit of displaying the facade first, guarding her feelings, until someone has proven him or her self a true friend. As a result, many "friends" often surround her who know very little about her, aside from her sarcastic nature, and few that know every detail. She never lets go of anything, whether it's people, conversations, or things. For this reason, she anticipates the worst and distances herself often, in effort to escape emotional pain. This, of course, fails every time.

             However, despite her flaws she is a generally happy, optimistic person. She is a great judge of character and enters the world with open arms, but also, open eyes. She loves passionately with the heart of a child.