I
dropped my head for a moment and saw a little girl pressed up against the
railing. She couldn’t have been more than twelve years old. In her hands was a
sign that said “Redheads Rule!” with a little crown painted in the corner and
tiny stars everywhere. I knew I was the only redhead in the competition, and I
noticed that her hair and mine were very nearly the same shade.
She
caught me reading her sign. Our eyes met, and I found myself walking away from
the others and right towards her. A guard stepped between us. I gave him a very
serious look, and he cautiously backed away but only slightly.
“What’s
your name?” I asked her.
“Juliet.”
Her voice was quiet, but I could tell it wasn’t because of timidity.
“I
like your sign, Juliet.”
“I
made it myself!” There was pride in every inch of her features.
“Well,
it’s amazing.”
“Would
you sign it for me?” The hope in her face was undeniable.
“Of
course.” Juliet provided me with a marker, and I scribbled my name in the corner
across the crown.
“I
can’t wait to show this to everyone at school!”
School?
So she was at least a Six. I was suddenly even more endeared to her.
“Listen,
Juliet, I might not be queen, you know? I don’t know what’s going to happen.
But don’t let anyone ever tell you you can’t do something you really want to or
be something special. You’re a redhead, so I know you’re no quitter. Don’t ever
give up on something you really want.”
Juliet
nodded her head, but I could tell she seemed a little confused by my sudden
passion. Right above her a woman who was unmistakably Juliet’s mother had tears
in her eyes mouthed the words “thank you.”
