The Collection of Short Stories

1- Empathy

    Sobbing could be heard echoing through the halls. Bouncing off the lockers and walls as she walked down the long corridor. Turning her head in confusion she hiked her backpack further up on her shoulders. Taking a right she followed the sorrowful pleas to its source. 

    Entering the girls restroom she was shocked to see the schools laughing stock. Monster, they call her. Her heart clenched for the girl. Just a grade below her and yet she was sitting in the bathroom balling her eyes out on the floor. What does such a young, little girl have to cry about? She should be smiling and laughing, she should be happy.

    Slowly approaching the girl, crouching down with care, dropping her pack on the ground behind her gently. 

    “Hey.. are you ok? What’s going on?”

    Surprise adorned her face as she lifted her head to gaze at the kind hearted and curious girl before her. Everyone knew this little girl, only no one knew her name. No one talked to her, touched her, laughed with her, or even tried to get to know her. As she gazed down at the fourth grader, she allowed a small smile of empathy to pass on her face.

    “My.. My cat.. Died.. And..” She sniffled, rubbing her nose before continuing, eyes glued to the tiled floor. “No one cares.. I ask for help and all they do is laugh at me, calling me names, throwing things at me..” The fifth grader saw her start to shake, her own tears beginning to spill from her gaze as she reached out to comfort her. “And my step-dad wont let my dad see me.. I miss my dad.. I'm always hungry.. I..” she let out a shaky sigh. “I'm always alone.. No one wants me anymore.. I just want to go.. Leave his place.. The world would be better without me..”

    She reached out hurriedly, grabbing both her shoulders and looking at her in her clouded blue gaze. 

    “You are worth everything. You aren’t useless.” closing her eyes she took in a deep breath. “I don't care what others do to me. I'm your friend now. I'm here for you. Always”

    “You..” she shook rapidly as she fell into the fifth graders embrace. Sobbing in relief and grief. “Thank you..”