Stacey Frantina watched from across the room as her crush playfully joke around with his girlfriend.

   Stacey was an expert on Brian's emotions. She knew from his walk if he were in a serious mood, or if he felt like having fun and acting like the rest of their peers at Stoneybrook High.

    Stacey was 5'11 by the time she was 12. She wore large frame gl***es,braces, and to top it all off ; a life threatening cardiovascular condition . Needless to say, she made sure she kept to herself.

   Brian of course, was her exact opposite, short, stocky, and one of the most popular sophomores around town. His girlfriend was  Anna, the forein exchange student from Russia. Most guys just wanted to use her for body and send her on her way, but not Brian.

      Brian enjoyed the way Anna made him feel, but he was flunking chemistry, and he to his dismay the tall odd ball Stacey was his only hope.

     They met everyday  before and after school. It was akward at first; Brian on some days walked a different route just to avoid being seen with her.

     Stacey was aware of his immature behavior, but she saw something in him that most people ignored; comp***ion.

     He was caught off gaurd when he saw her watching them. Instead of leaning in for the kiss, Brian turned his attention to Stacey.

   " Stace, whaddup, what are you doing?"

   "Oh..I..hey Brian, and Anna."

   "Hello." Anna said coldy " Come on Brian let's go to my house, my mother and father are away."

    "Are you ok , you look sad." Brian  walked over  towards the bench and placed his arm around her shoulders.

   Why don't you leave her and marry me? she thought bitterly to herself

  " Oh, I'm fine Brian, but she doesn't look to happy.  You should go, I'm used to sitting here watching the wind and the tree's."

    "How do you watch the wind?" Anna said walking over towards the two. " Brian?"

   "What? I'm coming d*mn. Can you go wait over there for a minute."

   "Uh- fine !"

   "Oh boy, you're gonna be in trouble. Do you think you'll feel up to studying Monday morning?"

   " I don't know, I'm doing ok, i don't think i need the help anymore." he paused, he could see the hurt in her eyes, but knew if they continued she'd just fall deeper for him." It's nothing you did, or didn't do..I just---."

   "It's ok Brian, I understand. I  hope things get better for you, i know how it is to lose someone close. It'll be ok as time goes on."

   His mouth couldn't find the words to respond. It'd been 2 weeks since his grand mother died. Anna went out of the town the week of the funeral, and when she got back all she said  was that he'd get over it, life goes on.

  'You'd be such a perfect girl for somebody one Stacey. Maybe if i were taller or you were shorter , or if i just had the b*lls to not let what people think bother me.' His thoughts were interrupted by the soft touch of Stacey's hand grazing his cheek.

  " You better go." she said  pleading with herself not to cry.

  " I'll see you around Stace."

Once they  were out of sight Stacey dropped her head into her lap and cried. The next morning the police found Stacey's body still hunched over on the park bench, with her hands tensed  around her face.