Problem with Perfection

There was a girl in my high school class who was impossibly nice.  We lived in the same neighborhood and sometimes walked home together in the afternoon.  This girl-let's call her Janice-was more than nice; she was perfect.  She never gossiped about anyone or made a single negative comment.

I'd never met anyone like her and I confess it made me uncomfortable.  Her goodness held a mirror up in front of me and the reflection wasn't flattering.  I knew I ought to want to be more like Janice-but the truth was, I just wanted to get away from her.  I wanted to walk home with Sue and gossip. 

I wanted to tell Sue about Janice-and to ask, "How can anyone be so perfect?  Is it fake?  Or, (and this was much more troubling) is she for real?"  I never found out.  Instead, I distanced myself from Janice and our friendship faded away.

What a surprise then, years later, to have her locate me again.  She wanted to get together and when I said no, she was quite unpleasant.  In fact, she was downright rude.  I was so relieved I almost reconsidered.