Were you ever the outsider in high school? You know, the one no one really noticed? Oh, you had friends, even close ones, but you never really fit in.
You know who I'm talking about, the gal who had the crush on the quarterback but could never tell him. Instead she shared her History notes, let him cheat off her Spanish test and passed the notes he sent to the head cheerleader. But she had the hugest crush. She knew he would never like her back but she still couldn't help crushing.
Look around you. These outsiders are still around. Crushing on people they know will never reciprocate their feelings. You know these people. Maybe you're one, maybe you have someone around you, crushing on you. How do you treat them? Have you embraced them as a friend or do you abuse their over-eagerness to please you?
Why am I writing about these outsiders, you're asking? To remind us they have feelings too. You may never date this person but acknowledge they are are important. If you think back they have probably been a better friend to you than whomever you are calling your best friend. Also, to remind us that we shouldn't judge a book by its cover. I know it cliche, but very true. Sometimes, when you take the time to really get to know them, you find there is more to them than meets the eye.
My favorite outsider reference is the movie "Princess Diaries". The story of a clumsy, plain girl - an outsider - who becomes a princess of a country. Come to find out, she has on outsider following her - a cute boy - who she comes to realize is a great guy. My only complaint it she has to be remodeled physically. Too bad. Would have been a better story if they had accepted her as she was. The princess was still inside.
My point being, look around you. If you have an outsider crushing on you, realize there is more, so much more, to them. If you're an outsider, find someone to be your friend who'll accept you for who you are. We all have a prince/princess waiting to get out!
