Two Sources

Two Sources(justme) I ran my tongue along my mouth, in horror, as I tasted the bitterness of my blood, from the hard hit I had gotten at school. My face soaked with tears, I wondered, “How long had this gone on?” I lost count of the days which seemed endless. Every day, putting on a fake smile on the outside for my family, then coming home and crying over the pain. My classmates hate me because I’m different. My outside appearance doesn’t look like theirs, I don’t act like them, and I don’t follow them. Instead, I stand up to them, trying to defend myself and my family’s pride, but that only makes it worse. They bullied me physically and mentally all the time. For me, life wasn’t worth living; life seemed more painful than death, until I met Hikari.

Hikari moved here from China, and she became the only friend I had, but the best one ever. She was the only kind person I had met, and I didn’t understand why she wanted to be friends with me. The thought bewildered me. One day I asked her why she liked me. I said that I was different from the other students. Hikari responded with a wide smile and replied “It’s because you’re different that I like you”. Ever since she told me those words, they stuck in my soul, and never left. We became close friends, and for the first time in a long time I felt happy.

Hikari moved from China because of bulling issues, but it was not only Hikari being bullied; her family was too. Hikari explained that in China most people were Buddhist, but her family and herself was Christian. Sadly, most people didn’t like that they weren’t like them. She told me that her classmates picked on her; some even mocked her religion and said it was ignorant to believe in things like that. “What is Christianity?” I suddenly asked. I might have seemed extremely dim for asking such a question, but that question changed my personality and outtake on life. Hikari grinned wide and declared, “I’ll tell you all about it!” She told me about her Bible, the book of her beliefs, and the people in the bible who did wonderful things. She talked about God and how He did miracles, and died for everyone, including me. I thought to myself “Who would die for me? People despise me. Why would anybody die for me?” The more I listened the more intrigued I was, and I wanted to learn more in depth about God. We talked until the sun disappeared, and planned to meet up again tomorrow. “Hold on, I want to give you something”, said Hikari. She pulled out a book from her purse and handed it to me. I slowly read the cover; in bright gold letters it read Bible. My first Bible I ever received and would ever have was in my hands. “Thanks,” I sputtered in awe at the thick book. “No problem,” Hikari replied. “It’s a gift from me to you!” That night I ran so fast to my house. Excitement dwelled inside me. I couldn’t wait to read it! Alone in my dark asylum, I turned the pages of the Bible, starting from the very first book: Genesis. Each word I read, I clung to with my whole heart. I stayed up into the dead of night still reading. That very night, I realized I wanted to seek relentlessly for God’s love, which is why I let God into my heart.

The following day at school, just like before, I got picked on. They mocked and taunted me, making me feel worthless, but I was a new person. I turned around, smiled at them, and said, “God says to love your neighbors, and so I love you!” The student’s faces looked like they had seen a ghost. “But we hurt you, and made you cry,” commented one student. “Yeah,” emphasized another, “Your life is miserable because of us.” “Yes it was,” I agreed,” but God’s undying love for you is stronger than any of you, and He has taught me how to forgive. So I forgive all of you for the pain you have caused me.” I gave the students another smile, and walked away proud and dignified.

Light and darkness are supposed to be two very different sources. They are destined to never come in contact with each other. They are too different to ever be friends. I, Trista Rinehart, was never to come in contact with Hikari Lee, but we defied laws, and became the best of friends. Two extremely different people, Trista, means sad in French, and Hikari, which means light in China. Who would have ever thought sadness could see the light again.