My best friends in seventh and eighth grade were Pauline and Monica.
I don't really recall, but I think Pauline was of Iranian heritage. She was short, had big dark brown eyes framed by thick dark eyelashes, a distinctive (but pretty) nose, and the curliest long brown hair. She dyed a huge chunk of hair near the nape of neck into a dark golden blonde color. I used to love her hair and was envious. Her curls seemed so much more alive, fun, and spontaneous than my straight hair. She used to twirl locks of her hair with her fingers when bored or in conversation. It was a habit that simultaneously annoyed and fascinated me. She was cool. She was perky. She was popular. She was a "best friend," but I never really connected with her. We just hung out together constantly.
Monica was of African-American heritage. I loved her so much. She was the sweetest. So friendly and funny and and talkative and crazy and energetic. And she had the biggest smile. I'd play around with her almost pitch-black hair, marveling at its texture. She was athletic and always liked showing off how fast she could run and how far she could jump. She made me laugh a lot and I adored that about her. I was never jealous of her because she was just so "Monica"...I was too occupied with being her friend and liking her. I felt more comfortable around her than with Pauline.
Those two years of junior high school were lovely to some extent. We grew apart after those two years. It just happened. Pauline went to another high school than the one Monica and I attended. I bumped into and talked with Monica here and there throughout high school, but then even she floated away from my life long before college even started. It's strange and sad though...we considered ourselves to be "best friends" but I never once confided a secret or longing to them. We just socialized together a lot...and I guess the "best friends" title just fell upon us. I wish we could have been more "honest" and "real."
I've NEVER had a REAL best girl friend...it's something I wish for every now and then. It must be the NICEST feeling to have a girl friend to confide to and have long girly conversations with.
I really wonder what Pauline and Monica are doing today. Where they live. What they do. If they have their own families.
And yes, I've Googled. Heh. Not much help there though.
I miss them.
**Sighs and smiles.**