Who you are is not what you did, you're still an innocent.

Times change. People change. Lives change. Like most life lessons, I've learned this the hard way. I used know this kid. Sweet, gentle, funny, and nice. Over the summer, he started using drugs. Since I moved, I haven't seen him in a while. But today when I went to my grandmother's house, I saw a paper on the couch and I opened it and I realized it was a police flyer with his picture on it saying that he burglarized one of my grandma's neighbors. I could not calm myself down. Of course, I cried. I couldn't help it. My Uncle said that he'd been trying to keep it away from me, but that didn't really help. When I spoke to my guidance counselor at school, he said that I should speak to my aunt about it. I don't know why but, I could not care less about what he did. If someone else robbed my grandmother's neighbor, I would hope that the police catch him. But since its someone I know and love, it's different. Before I never knew why people would help someone they know is a criminal. But now I know. It's because they love them. That is the only reason. Many people say "I would lie, cheat, and steal for you." But turn the tables: What if they lied?What if they cheated?What if they stole? Would you turn them in? If you honestly love someone, you'd be at a crossroads. I'm content with MYSELF when I say, that he's innocent. And he is innocent-to me. Drugs change people, and I have hope that the boy I love and admire is somewhere, deep in the crevices of a monster's heart. I listened to "Innocent" earlier after this first happened. I broke out crying. I also broke out crying when I told Kaitlin and Giselle. I chose my quote to come from "Innocent" because I still see him as an innocent. Most importantly, the song preaches about forgiveness. I forgive him for what he did. I hope the family he hurt forgives him as well.