Alex and Jocelyn

*My Heroes...

Google's definition of the word hero is, "a person distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength". After reading that, many people have a picture formed in their head of someone like Superman, Hercules or some other fictional character from their imagination. But not me. When I read that definition, I see my two best friends, Alex Fleming and Jocelyn McLaren. They haven't saved my life, or done something 'heroic' enough to be put in the history books. But I know who my heroes are, they aren't famous and they are definitely not perfect, but I know they are there for me and I know that they aren't fake.

*First there was Jocelyn...

When I was about 4, and met Jocelyn McLaren for the first time, she wasn't much different then she is now, but I certainly was. I met Jocelyn at church, she was screaming and running around - so I may have attempted to ignore her. But as you can probably guess, ignoring Jocelyn is very hard -- if not, impossible (especially Jocelyn at a young age). But somehow, we became close.


At the end of grade 4, my best friend from my school moved to Toronto and I found myself at a school where I couldn't be myself and I couldn't talk to anybody but Jocelyn about the things going on in my life (because any of my secrets would soon become public). But telling Jocelyn my secrets was easy, went to a different school and wasn't interested in gossiping or shoving my secrets back in my face. She had become my best friend in grade 4 and my best, BEST friend in grade 5! We ended up spending about 6 days a week with each other, even though we went to different schools and lived at opposite ends of Peterborough (I live in East City and she lives on the West side)


By the time I was in grade 6, I absolutely hated my school. But I soon got news that I was gifted and I had the option to go to a new school for grade 7 and 8 to get some attention. I was thrilled! I was soon told that the school was Westmount Public School -- the school's name rung a bell in my mind. That was Jocelyn's school! THAT WAS JOCELYN'S SCHOOL! What were the odds?


But I was almost worried... I was afraid that the jumpy, outgoing Jocelyn that I knew would be different person in front of her Westmount friends. I was wrong. When I got to Westmount I was amazed and envious at her confidence. On my first day I was quiet and scared, and she simply grabbed me by the arm and introduced me to almost everybody in the yard, she took more time on the other gifted kids, so I would know some people in my class. She didn't leave my side all day, except when I had to go to my first ever gifted class.


Over the years, I have learned from Jocelyn. I believe that Jocelyn can do anything. She is so talented. She can act, sing, dance, play sports, be a great friend, and still spend every day with a smile on her face! Jocelyn and I are still opposites in almost every way, but that means we have different problems and different resolutions. Jocelyn has always been there for me, and I know that she always will. Jocelyn is one of my best friends, I envy Jocelyn and hope that one day I can have as much confidence as she does. Almost everything I am today is because of Jocelyn. She is unlike anybody else I have ever met and I love her for it.


That is why Jocelyn McLaren is my hero.

*Then came Alexx...

I arrived at Westmount, and I was happy to meet so many new people, but I had one problem, I still wasn't being totally myself. But I continued to try and make friends. One of the people I met is Alex Fleming. I had met Alex before, she had been on my soccer team when we were 10 and I remember after one of our tournaments, Alex came to my house and we went swimming with our uniforms on!


In grade 8, Alex started to hang around with some of my other friends, I didn't know her well and I thought that we wouldn't get along well.. but one day I decided to invite her for a sleepover to get to know her better, and after a night of movie watching and too much laughter, we were instantly friends. I couldn't believe how similar we were. The only differences between Alex and I was that she was in French immersion and she was being herself, while I was still trying to fit in with everybody else.


Me and Alex started hanging out every lunch time and eventually every weekend, and with her hilarious personality and by her just being there for me, Alex brought out the real me -- finally.


For the past year, Alex and I have finished each other's sentences, shared clothes and advice, shared each other's problems and successes. And it seems like whenever I feel the slightest bit sad, Alex can tell and immediately tries to cheer me up. Alex is herself and even if she cares what people think, she doesn't show it.


Alex is my hero, and no matter what anybody else says, Alex is a funny, nice, and the most reliable person I know! She has helped me through some hard stuff, just simply by listening to me. To me Alex is "a person distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength" -- in fact... she is one of the strongest and most courageous people I know! Who else would have the courage to be my best friend!?


That is why Alex Fleming is my hero.