The Sides You Don't See

Irina Samuels

Dedicated to: Everyone who has ever pretended to be someone they're not.

A perfect child

Model student

Everyone's parents love her

But the side they don't see

Is the hurried trip to the gas station

And the pack of cigarettes

Hastily shoved away at the knock on the door.

A bright soul

Not afraid to hurt others

To do what needs to be done

Her name instills fear

But the side they don't see

Is the dedication

The kindness

And the ability to be gentle.

Call her, anytime of the day

And she'll be there, no questions asked.

He seems…so quiet.

A shrug is the usual response

So others don't notice him.

But the side they don't see

Is the personality

Screaming to be released

But held back by crippling shyness.

Miss pop-ular!

Everyone wants to be her

She has everything

Charisma, charm, beauty

She's the image of perfect.

But the side they don't see

Is the struggle

The insecurity

And the pressure to be perfect.

Sometimes she goes home and cries

Simply cracking under pressure.

He's a bad boy.

When he walks down the hall

People give him a wide berth.

Teachers call him 'insubordinate'

Because he has different views from them.

He is widely feared.

But the side they don't see

Is the handholding boy who walks home smiling

Who kisses me on the cheek when he thinks no one is looking.

The side they don't see

Is the one that loves me.