love perspective 3: maggie

Quick, pretend you are on jeopardy.  Here is the clue: This book holds the world record as the best-selling copyrighted series.

If you said, ‘What is the Guinness Book of World Records?’ then you are right.  It must be cool to have your name put in there.  I bet I could come close in some categories.  Like the amount of times my family moved.  Or the amount of friends I go through. 

Being new is something I’m used to.  But I’ll bet my brother already complained to you about how horrible it is and how it ruined his life.  It probably does do something to him.  Not me.

I just got used to it.  I know that I have to quick make friends and get as much out of a friendship before my dad gets transferred.  I guess it helps that I’m more outgoing and not such a loner like Shane.

I wouldn’t say I feel bad for him, it’s more that I want him to be happy.  He is good hearted, but just unloved outside of our family.  I think that is what would pop that invisible bubble around him that just keeps people away.  If he only had someone else that loved him.

I introduce him to my friends.  I set him up on dates (which are a whole other issue). And no matter what, it is agreed he is nice, but he just has that bubble that pushes people away.  Who knows what else I can do for him.

So once again, we started settling into a new house.  My family has become pros at packing and unpacking.  We literally had all the boxes emptied in two days.  I knew now I’d have some free time to explore the neighborhood and meet some people.

It was around ten in the morning.  I decided to take the car out for a drive and explore the area.  See what was around.  I took this opportunity to try to get my brother out. 

His new room was right next to mine.  We both had views of the front yard.  Looking outside was very similar to every other place we called home.  Just rows and rows of mid-size baby boomer homes.

Shane never closed his door.  He didn’t have a reason to.  We always gave him his privacy.  I peeked in, he was sitting at his desk, which was up against the window.  I don’t think I could do that, because I would get distracted when doing homework.

I knocked on his door, letting him know I was coming in.

Maggie – So you got your computer set up already.

Shane – Yeah.  I think everything is all organized here.

He was playing the sims.  He usually was.  There was just something about that game that lured him in.  I used to debate to myself why.  But I reached a decent answer after he let me play it a few times.

You can control and create love and friendships and actual lives.  I think that is what Shane needs.  He hides it, but I know he wants friends.  He is just so used to being alone, he gave up on trying.  But in this game, he can overlook others interacting and creating friendships.

It is sort of the world he wishes he had.

It sounds bogus, but I’m pretty sure that is what keeps him addicted.

I sat on his bed.

Maggie – I like how you set up all the furniture.  You get a good view this way.

Shane – Thanks, I guess. How’s setting up your room?

That wasn’t too high on my priority list.  Finding a crowd, that’s always number one.

Maggie – It’s slow.  So, I think I’m gonna go drive around and see what’s around here.  You wanna keep me company?

I could tell he didn’t want to leave his game but he didn’t want to directly dis me.  I got the message.  He’s given it to me enough times before.  He looked at me and was trying to be quick about coming up with an excuse.

Shane – I think I’m gonna help mom make dinner later.

Maggie – It’s cool, don’t worry about it.  I’ll give you the full report when I get back including where you can meet some new guys to chill with.

He went back to his game.  I didn’t want to push him anyway. 

I went out to my car and started the drive.  The neighborhood seemed to have this jumpy vibe.  Everyone must wake up earlier and start their days outside.  Definitely very social.

I noticed this guy about my age sitting on a curb.  Blonde hair, pretty cute.  Maybe I could introduce myself.

Uh, maybe not.  I drove further and saw a girl sitting next to him.  She had that look in her eyes that as long as she was sitting right there next to him, she was happy.  I figured they were dating and continued on.  I hate when someone intrudes when I am with a boyfriend.

The town was a lot like any other suburbia.  I passed a few parks, the high school, where I can go shopping.  Places like that. Overall, I think it gave me a good perspective.

I also found where I could go jogging.  So later on I put on my running gear and worked on a creating my daily course. 

I wasn’t the only one jogging.  There were plenty of people of all ages doing the same.  I noticed this guy coming up on me.  He looked like a complete douche who was full of himself.  And believe me I have experience and can spot them from a mile away.

Justin – Hey gorgeous.