The name is Nicole Hardman, age 23. To many, this is a special day: graduation day. To Miss Hardman, it's just Friday. Infamous for not caring about anything, she just goes through the motions. She's so plain that even her appearance isn't worth mentioning. Her only saving grace is her one friend who somehow stuck with her, Jessica Alba. She is everything that Nicole isn't: happy, cheerful, and full of life. She has bright red hair, black eyeliner, and bright nails. Even her dresses are exuberant. The only question is why someone like her decides to be friends with Nicole.
We meet Nicole sitting outside, under a pavilion. She scoffs as a group of well-dressed male graduates passes by her, "Good grief, why do they care so much about this? It means nothing in the grand scheme of things. Walk across a stage to a bunch of hags that don't care about you and, in my case, actually hindered me on a plethora of occasions. The only thing that makes less sense than that is this." She looks down and sees a Bible that her mom gave her before she passed away. "Mom devoted her life for nothing. When she was dying in a hospital bed, did any divine being come to save her and make her well? Not hardly, yet she still persisted. I've tried to read this thing, but all I see is wrath, hatred, and stupidity. If we as a species are so bad, why not keep us gone, and why send someone to die for a group that never listens to you? I say all of this, but I can't bring myself to get rid of this thing. Maybe the fact that it's my mom's, or that Jessica would be sad if I did."
Over in the main hall for the graduation party, Jessica is partying with a group of graduates. As the valedictorian, she has a pretty big obligation to be there, as well as to speak. Jessica gets her single sheet of paper for her speech. As she takes the stand, she takes a deep breath and begins. "I know you are having a blast and you have the right to do just that, but allow me to say a few words. In the four very short years we've been together, there have been plenty of ups and downs. I thank God that I was able to make it this far. It wasn't my strength but His. He allowed me to do all of this, and I'm very grateful. I hope all of you will take the time to understand the levity of what I've spoken here today. Thank you; you may return to the party." Upon speaking these words, Jessica bows and leaves the party to look for Nicole. After a few minutes, she makes her way to the pavilion that Nicole is at.
"Hello Nicole, why aren't you at the party?" Jessica asks. Nicole looks up for a second and then back down. "Why should I go? They've done nothing but hurt me time and time again. A better question: why did you go? Didn't the student council make that rumor that you 'got around'?" Nicole asks rather bluntly. Jessica thinks for a moment, then smiles. "True, but thanks to you, that rumor was put to rest. I've since forgiven them and moved on. I have a finite time on this Earth; I don't want to waste time hating someone else for a petty thing like that." Nicole rolls her eyes and scoffs, "A petty thing like that? Are you kidding? They made you out to be a whore, and that's your only comeback"? Nicole stands up and looks at Jessica, and for a moment Jessica can see Nicole's eyes, a light shade of violet. "You were a laughingstock for a month and a half, Jess; have a little bit of a backbone, will you? How many times will you let yourself be taken advantage of before you stand up for yourself"? Jessica takes in what Nicole said for a brief moment. There's validity in what she says, that cannot be denied, Jessica thinks to herself. But in that same vain, I know I cannot go on holding grudges. I've been down that road; it's not a good thing. That is one aspect that Nicole is better than me at: coming back from the brink before it's too late. "Well, Nicole," Jessica begins. "You do raise several valid points, but I know my strengths and weaknesses, and I'm no good at holding grudges. It makes me feel gross and dirty; besides, we're called to forgive others no matter what they've done to us."
Nicole starts bursting out laughing in Jessica's face. "Really? You're throwing the Bible at me? This is rich! I don't care what a two-thousand-year-old book says about how to live your life, nor do I care about a 'good teacher.' The only thing that trail has left me is pain, heartbreak, and even more questions." Jessica takes a deep breath and responds calmly, "If you don't care about the Bible, why do you still carry your mom's Bible around for?" That statement shut down Nicole completely. Having no response, she just sits back down and mutters, "Low blow." Jessica smirks, "If you ever have any questions about that 'two-thousand-year-old book,' you need only ask me. Have a good evening, Nicole." Jessica smiles and leaves to go back to the party. Nicole looks at her phone for a little bit before leaving for her house, returning at around 10:30 or so. Once home, Nicole slumps down on her couch and sighs. Why do I keep this book? Nothing good has come from it.