Tangerine Julius

Having self confidence is not always easy for some people. We all struggle with some insecurities, some more than others. I am one of those that has more. So, when I was reading Tangerine, I kept realizing how amazing Paul really is. Even though he has to wear some pretty hefty glasses, he really doesn't come off as that insecure. He has more confidence than I ever had. He is definitely aware of himself, but he still has such a great head on his shoulders. Erik, in all his cockiness, seems to be more insecure than Paul is. Even though Erik is "Mr. Tough Guy" he seems to need reassurance from his friends and his father. Paul is picked on by people, but he seems to dust it off and make the best of it. I have comments said to me and I dwell on them for days, weeks, and sometimes years. I can definitely learn a thing or two from Paul. Though he was down on himself for not coming forward after hearing Erik and Luis from under the bleachers, the way he handled himself with his teammates and helping out Tino's family, he is a really amazing kid. I am not sure that when I was his age that I would have been as courageous and confident. He just had his mom drop him off at Tino's without anyone knowing he was coming. I am not sure I would have been able to do that. I was so sad about Luis too. He was such an ally of Paul's and such a role model for his siblings. Life is not always fair, but things do always happen for a reason. Good will always bring about good and evil will bring about evil. It may take time for both, but it always boils down to karma. Erik was going to be a big college football player, but he was an awful person inside and out and it finally caught up to him. You can only be bad for so long but eventually you will get caught. I am glad that Erik was found out and I am glad that Paul's dad is finally spending time and getting to know his other son. Good always prevails.