Learning To Appreciate Creative Differences

Gia slipped into her English class at the tail end of the final bell, hoping to go undetected, but her five foot eleven posture towered over most of her classmates. Her jet black pixie cut and ice blue eyes intensified her presence and her unique flair for fashion. She hurried along to her assigned seat, four rows in and the third desk back with her head held down, dressed in a Naruto t-shirt displaying her love for anime. The ruffles of her flowy black skirt, one of her unique designs, swung off her slim frame like a top model walking the runway. Her retro combat boots gave her some confidence, yet in reality, she was uncomfortable in social settings, constantly feeling out of place and alone. Flopping down onto the hard metal chair, she closed her eyes, hoping and praying that perhaps this would finally be the day she would catch a lucky break.

A high-pitched shrill; that unmistakable voice of the most annoying diva bully interrupted Gia's few seconds of peace, proving that there would be no escape from the daily taunting.

"Attention everyone: Olive Oil is here," snickered a girl named Kelly, prompting an uproar of laughter ringing across the aisles.

Kelly was the ring leader of a group of annoying popular girls who made it her business to torment Gia every day. Kelly and two others, Denise and, were the main offenders and critical players in a group Gia secretly called the "Uggs Click." Like every school, this one had its popular students set the pace for fashion and social status operating on the equivalent of one mind frequency. A seemingly members-only society conforming to a narrow mindset meant being cool and fitting in. The Uggs click was the torn skinny jean, Ugg walking bratty teens who wore low v cut shirts and padded push-up bras. They strutted up and down the halls flipping their identical chemically straightened long blonde & brown hairstyles, tapping on cell phones with coffin manicures, and taking ridiculous selfies showing off exaggerated smiles; overdrawn eyebrows.

A loud clap- clap dropped like a bomb silencing the room.

The instructor, Ms. Appleton, stood in the doorway with her arms tightly folded across her tweed jacket. She stood for a moment tapping her grey stiletto before marching across the classroom to the front of her desk. The teacher lowered her glasses, peeking up at the students scanning from left to right like an x-ray machine searching for anything out of place. She smoothed out her navy A-line skirt and pulled a pencil from her low kept bun. A few strands of amber tresses loosened, cascading like rose petals softly landed on her shoulders. Reaching behind for a clipboard on her desk, she jotted down some notes for reference to later.

"Ladies and gentlemen, let's get right to it," Ms. Appleton began. I have your assignments that you all turned in yesterday, and quite frankly, I was disappointed. So, I expect more out of my seniors, but one of you pleasantly surprised me. Your task at hand was an exercise in creativity involving five photographs."

Gia bit her thumbnail, realizing that her assignment was the standout submission as Ms. Appleton told her "great job" earlier that morning when she saw her in the halls. Two days prior, each student received a black folder with five photographs enclosed depicting five different backgrounds. Ms. Appleton told her students to write a paragraph about what they saw in each photo, offering as much detail as possible in four to five sentences.

Photograph #1 was a family of four having a picnic in the park. A mother, father, son & daughter were sitting on a red and blue blanket eating sandwiches. There was a basket with apples, grapes & bananas. Photograph #2 displayed a rainbow shining over a busy city with skyline buildings and a crowd of people crossing heavy traffic. Photograph #3 showed a dog and cat snuggled on a blue rug napping in front of a living room fireplace. Photograph #4 was a group of teenage boys and girls eating pizza and drinking soda at a pizza parlor with a jukebox behind them. Ending with Photograph #5 was a plain picture of a large body of water; no colorful surroundings, just the wide-open sea.

"The last photograph tripped everyone up except for one student," Ms. Appleton continued. The first four pictures provided enough visual details making preparing a paragraph very easy, which all of you completed successfully. However, the last photograph was different. It was straightforward, elusive even and was a test designed for you to explore your creative abilities. Out of 30 students, only one provided a complete paragraph delving into her imagination to paint us a picture of what she visualized. The sole purpose of this exercise was to stimulate your hidden creativity by stepping out of the comfort zone of the obvious and mundane. Ansel Adams was a famous American landscape photographer who once quoted, “A photograph is usually looked at seldom looked into. So, at this time, I call Gia up to the front of the class to share her writing sample."

"Of course, the art geek got it Kelly whined. Go On Olive Oil. We all are waiting."

"You can join me at 3:00 sharp in detention today," snapped Ms. Appleton.

This time, no one else laughed except for Denise and veronica, giggling seated across the room in row one.

"Well, girls, since you both are having such a hoot at another's expense, you can join Kelly today in detention," snapped Ms. Appleton even louder.

Gia anxiously rose from her seat. Her stomach felt like a bag of stones fumbling about, and her legs wobbled like jello. Slowly, one foot in front of the other, she made it up to the podium. She firmly planted her combat boots onto the floor, resting her arms on the stand, securing her balance, then began reading from her paper, not looking up once.

"I escape from the cruelness of land by sailing far away on my catamaran. Oh, how the gentle waves rolling, tapping the side of my ship, brings me peace. The Wind and her indecision, one-minute tender zephyrs and the next; a blustery jolt, remind me that there are no straight and narrow paths in life and nothing is simply black & white. Nature does not judge me as I maneuver instinctively like the seagulls hovering overhead, even the sharks hunting in the darkest waters below my feet. From my telescope, I spy fresh soil on the horizon wondering if upon my anchoring Man will accept me with open arms like the sincerity of the sea."

Gia looked up from her paper, locking eyes with Kelly, who yawned explicitly and waved her middle finger. No one else was the wiser, for all eyes fixated on her for once. Instead of returning to her seat, she took center stage in front of her classmates.

"If you have not guessed already, I spoke about myself in that paragraph. I have been picked on, ridiculed, and cast aside simply because I am who I am for as long as I can remember. I have no desire or need to copycat other people or bend to their wishes just to fit in. On the other hand, it has been extremely lonely and painful for me feeling like there is something wrong with me as a person with all that I endure daily here at school. Sure, I have some friends, but more people are out to get me, with certain individuals always pulling the strings. Although the torment is limited to a few, the rest of you make it no better with your laughter. Even though you may not shout obscenities or call me names, you encourage the negativity by your reactions as if I am here for your amusement."

Gia paused, her voice breaking as a lonesome tear rolled down her cheek. She continued her speech.

"You have no idea what it is like to bring your lunch from home, and twice a week, eat it locked up in a bathroom stall because on those days, the few close friends that you do have do not share your lunch period. You have no clue what I go through constantly being told I am ugly, a loser, and a freak. On the contrary, I am the nicest person who never bothers anyone. Why can't anyone SEE ME?"

When her speech ended, something extraordinary occurred; 27 of 30 students were on their feet applauding. Seconds later, Denise and Veronica cautiously joined them while glancing back at Kelly's vicious glares.

Ms. Appleton stood up, giving Gia the warmest embrace, and motioned for her to return to her seat.

Gia floated up the aisle like a glorious butterfly embracing her wings in her first flight. Her posture; elite with her head held high, and her frosty blue eyes twinkled, leaving sparkles behind. Her mile-high legs were elongated, taking powerful strides, and she smiled, glancing down at her combat boots as they made her proud. As she seated herself, she shrugged off the notion to turn around and look at Kelly, for she realized that not everyone would embrace her, yet it did not matter. For the first time in her life, Gia felt at peace with herself, and for the very first time, she felt like the world smiled upon her.