The cool wind whipped at my face, blowing my hair over my shoulder as we drove with the windows rolled all the way down. I didn’t suppress the smile that tugged at my lips as I watched my best friend riding shot gun singing at the top of her lungs to the music that blared in the air around us. Throwing her head back she let out a mix between a screech and a groan in an attempt to mimic the singing on the radio. I shouted her name as if scolding a child but as another shrill cry broke out from her mouth I couldn’t hold back the laughter bubbling up in my chest. I bent over holding my stomach while she continued to pierce the air with her awful but goofy singing. She finally looked over at me hunched, as I tried to regain my composure, a smile still lingering on my face. She smiled widely, excited as a mischievous glint twinkled in her eyes. Pure pleasure, as well as the recognition that she had finally made me laugh broke out across her face. I loved her for the fact that she could always make me smile regardless of the mood I was in.                                                                                                                                          She leaned forward in her seat and fingered the knob which changed radio stations, she turned it again. A few seconds later, she muttered unappreciatively cracking a joke and turned the knob yet again. She could never settle on one station. She was picky; I knew any day that she’d choose jazz music over the stuff playing on the radio. I laughed at her boldness and fearlessness as she took control of the music altogether. There was no negotiating it with her, it was her right and her right alone, we had learned a while back. She sat back satisfied and squealed as the lyrics to one of her favorite songs poured out of the speakers.                                                                                                                                                                               She reached forward to grab her drink. Nosily, she slurped from the large Styrofoam cup that stood in the cup holder to her left, taking a long drink and then wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. I found it funny how she loved coffee more than she did water. If there was one thing she could and always would drink it was coffee.                                                                                                                                            Her short legs were stretched out in front of her, feet bare.  Her dirty sneakers lay on the ground beside her old bag. I knew despite the smile she always wore that her heart was sighing. Her tattered too-large shirt and baggy jeans didn’t do much to flatter her curvy figure. If it was up to her I knew too well, she’d be wearing flowing skirts, as she twirled in the rain, crisp leather jackets and stiletto heels. I smiled to myself thinking of her but then sighing I shook my head slightly, I guess we weren’t all that lucky.                                                                                                  We sat in silence as we let the music wash over us and I still watched her. She could go one minute from being loud, rambunctious to quiet, serious and contemplative.  There was so much more to her than met the eye. The corners of her eyes crinkled as an easy smile formed on her lips; she was in a state of reflection, not happy or sad. I was sure that a thousand different thoughts and feelings were dashing around in her brain, a frantic hurricane of thoughts that were not all good and positive. Although some may say that her behavior suggested she was an airhead, behind those almost-grey eyes I saw another world all together. I knew that thought upon thought, idea upon idea she was contemplating deep truths, truths which penetrated into the depths of her soul. I knew in her head she created stories, endlessly painting masterpieces with her words alone. She had a creativity that matched no other, whether it involved baking for her family as well as others or putting a stream of words on paper to create art she had a talent for it all.                                                                                                                                                                                              The music escalated as a new song came on. She whooped loudly, turned the volume up and facing the open window began to shake her head dramatically to the music. A guffaw escaped my lips. I covered my mouth as a snort followed it. She laughed obnoxiously as she tilted her head down and shook her hair out in front of her making her wavy shoulder-length hair dance. It caught the afternoon sun and glistened, a rich brown mixed with red. Her incessant laughter resonated throughout the car, cute and contagious so we joined in as well.  She grinned enthusiastically and a dimple formed just above her lips on her right cheek. Her face was bright like the sunflowers she loved so much, her cheeks rosy and her eyes glowing with laughter and joy. She had the face of a porcelain doll smooth, soft and flawless. She puckered her blood-red lips and turning towards me blew me a kiss. I giggled shyly.  She then batted her eyes mockingly at me, lacey eyelashes fluttered over her large blue eyes.  Eyes like the crystal clear waters of the ocean, glistening as the sun reflects off its surface. She smiled brightly her lips curving into that all-too familiar smile that I loved.                                                                                                                                                                                                She had the ability to turn any of my moods around, as well as to alleviate any stress. Tension dissolving as quickly as it came. There was never a dull moment with her. She wouldn’t allow it.                                                            She continued to sing, changing tones, rhythms and tempos all together. She was still changing stations, grumbling about the music and finally settling on a song that suited her liking. Her eyes closed as she gracefully swayed to the music full of exaggerated passion. A smile never left my face. A feeling of pure ecstasy swelled up inside my chest.                                                                                                                                            To anyone on the street she seemed a boisterous, care-free girl but I knew better. Her wide smile and bright eyes masked the constant pain she felt, the struggles she’d endured and the complexity behind her seemingly care-free lifestyle. If you were to look hard enough you would see the pain forever etched into her eyes, the longings of her soul. They were a bottomless pit at times, an abyss, eyes lifeless and dead as the porcelain doll she resembled.  The bags under her eyes she hid well with makeup but I knew they were there. And if you were to look even harder you would notice the lines carved into her smooth skin from worry, stress and strain. I stared at the woman my best friend had become seeing how the struggles had shaped her, how her experiences had caused her to ‘come-of-age’ at too young of an age and felt a new found admiration for her. Not only had she carried her own burdens but she had also had a share in my battles as well. Regardless, I admired that fact that she could still be her natural, fun-loving self around us. Always happy despite the circumstances, energetic, enthusiastic, all the things I wasn’t. That hadn’t changed. She was still the life of the party, no doubt.                                                                           A new song came on the radio, one we both knew. She swiveled around to face me. I looked her way and before I even did she had already caught my glance, her sapphire eyes intense.  Moments passed between us and I knew that we had shared an entire conversation; felt each other’s pain, understood each other’s deepest wishes and desires. A look that said more than any amount of words ever could. WE could communicate without the use of a single word. People may have looked at us funny but we knew something they didn’t.  Sharing a look with her, I was transported back to the day we first met: 8 years ago, and in the 6th grade. Feeling like an outsider at a new school, under the impression that everyone knew each other and were already friends, feeling left out she asked me to sit with her at lunch. And that was the day this bond that still holds us together was formed. I had never known anyone who would so easily put others’ wellbeing over her own, and fight for the happiness of others before she would for her own. Never hesitant, in the blink of an eye willing to sacrifice all for the ones she cared about; whatever it took.  Her sprit may have been young but she was an old soul. A heart full of compassion and understanding. Helpful, friendly, polite always willing to give advice and be a crying shoulder if need be.
Another car pulled up beside us at a red light, its driver extremely good-looking. My friend gasped dramatically placing a hand over her heart. “Lord, have mercy!” she cried out, pretending to faint. I turned my face away from his direction but giggled nevertheless. I envied her easy-going nature, her spirit. Wild and free at heart, if only she could spread her wings free of the stifling cage of confusion and pain that was her life. I envied the way she could easily speak to anyone, anywhere (although cute guys might be an exception), the way she could make herself heard, and the way in which she demanded respect.  You wanted a debate; she’d give you a debate.                                                                                                      We drove on. Soft rain began to fall, splattering the window lightly. We all squealed excitedly. The sky overcast, gorgeous, rain now falling suddenly invigorated all of us. The splatter of rain on our windows intensified. We squirmed in our seats, wide smiles, bursting with joy. I pressed my face up against the window. Taking it all in, I heard my friend insist that we pull over. She bounced in her seat clapping her hands together like a little girl. I smiled at her craziness, her outgoing nature. We agreed and pulled over into the nearest parking lot. The streets were already slicked with rain and it was becoming harder to see. I continued to stare out the window transfixed by the rain glad to be on the other side of the window, dry. I watched as long tendrils of rain snaked down my window and smiled. My friend fumbled for the door and I shouted for her to stop. Before I knew it she had jumped out of the car and began to skip around in the rain. Standing on one foot she pounced around as the rain fell in sheets now drenching her clothes, flattening her hair against her scalp. It trailed down her face and neck. She remained unfazed. She beamed her smile lighting up the darkening parking lot.  Screeching, she tossed her head back and laughed happily letting the rain fall on her face. She spun around arms out, face to the sky. I stared from the car. It was to be expected but it still took me by surprise. I smiled uneasily as she urged me out of the car. No way was I going join her, I couldn’t. I gasped as she lost her balanced and staggered on her left foot before catching her balance again. I shook my head, smiling. She was such a klutz, but she went for it anyways. I admired her spunk, there was nothing stopping her. She cracked yet another joke as she turned to face me again. Her wet hair clung to her face and neck.  I laughed loudly, throwing my head back. The rain fell and I savored the moment, letting the peace wash over me as the rain washed away all my worries, fears and doubts. I watched my friend as she danced, care-free. This was who she was at the end of the day. After having endured everything life threw her way she could still throw her head back, shake her hair out and prance around like a little girl having the time of her life. She could still smile. And in the midst of it all she was still my friend.                                                          Feeling so grateful for such a wonderful friend, the best anyone could ask for. A friend who over the years had taught me so much about what true friendship looked like. I had become a better friend because of her. A friend, who despite my guard, and the walls I had put up, had reached in and broken through. Loosened me up and broke me out of my shell. I breathed a silent prayer of thanksgiving as the rain feel, a peaceful rhythm, feeling a love so deep, so genuine for the greatest friend anyone could have and an admiration so great for such an amazing young woman.