No Friends X Allies

Chapter 3: First Friend?

I think to myself. Were my actions right? Did I do the right thing? This is something called anxiety. I'm always worried about the small things that I do as an action. 

Anyway, it's been actually been about a week since the incident happened and Jeslyn was actually able to come to school today.

I walk out of the house to walk to school. I was calm and wanted to see what happens today. Jeslyn comes behind me and taps me on the shoulder. This time, I was actually scared. 

"Hey, Jalen! What's up?"

"Nothing much. I did have a question though. Jeslyn, why did you fight that girl?"

"Look. I'm trying to forget about this."

"This isn't exactly forgivable. That girl is severely injured and has to be in the hospital for about a month. She has two cracked ribs, a nearly broken leg, and a broken nose." How can you be calm?"

"Why do you care so much? It's not like it relates to you."

"I just happened to see. That's why."

"I see."

"Hey, Jeslyn. I have a question to ask."

"Yeah?"

"You seem like a very interesting person. Can we be friends or something?"

"You know, I have been waiting for you to say that."

"How so?"

She walked over to a nearby bench. I followed her and sat next to her. She sat and started talking.

"You know, I remember observing how you used to spend your time reading books alone, and it made me feel empathetic towards you. I didn't have a crush on you or anything, but it seemed like people would bully you for no apparent reason. You were a calm and peaceful person who just preferred solitude. I understand now why you are hesitant to form connections with others. Perhaps you are afraid that you won't be able to move on from the past."

"How did you know? I know it seemed obvious, but I just don't want people to think that I'm a bad person."

"Look, I will accept your offer as a friend but you need to escape the past. The past is still there but you need to reject the past and accept what's ahead and at the moment. Please? That's all I ask.

Although Jeslyn had a point, I also wanted to consider accepting her generous offer.

"I can say this. The way of life is to enjoy our youth. We can't redo anything in life. Why not make the most of life? I will accept your offer. Thanks."

"No problem. Why don't we walk to school together?"

"I don't see why not. I just want at least a few connections with people."

We walk to school together and there's just a huge crowd of people. I figured that it was because of Jeslyn coming back to school. It was that and the students in the school started throwing trash at us as we came to the school. 

Jeslyn became most popular to most hated in just a week.

"Jalen. I hope this doesn't last long."

"I'm sure it will clear up in no time."

It didn't really age well and got worse. The teachers were normal but people got mad at me for hanging out with a so-called murderer. I guess the students just don't understand what REALLY happened. I thought that they would take the side of Jeslyn but it seemed that it was actually against her. Guess I need to tell them what the real story was.

We tried to sit at lunch but people started throwing pencils and books at us. It was chaos. Finally, it took so long but some teachers came into the cafeteria and told everyone to stop and that there was going to be an assembly after lunch.

Well, that was unexpected. I didn't think that would happen.

I hope they put a stop to this chaos. I wouldn't want this to continue and Jeslyn wouldn't want that either.

Lunch was over and we had to walk to the auditorium. There were a bunch of chairs and all of us just took a random seat. I just took a seat in the back with Jeslyn. At that moment, I figured that I discovered what it feels like to make connections.

"Thanks for accepting my offer."

"No problem Jalen. I mean I should honestly be thanking you for having the courage and finally opening your eyes."

"Agree to that but it's not my fault that my life was full of trauma and people are stupid."

"Don't say that! There are people that have gone way worse than you. Yours was bad but not as bad as others."

"You're the most popular person in school. I'm just some student who wants to be left alone. I decided to change because of the people around me. I always was alone. I hated people. I was bullied for being alone. I kinda still do but I at least wanted to give them a chance. I just wanted to just get over myself. That's one of the reasons why I entered this high school. For new changes and a new start."

"You know, this is the reason why I accepted you as a friend and an ally to be with. Even though people may think of me as popular and rude. I'm actually a kind and caring person who wants people to succeed. I saw you so I wanted to somewhat change you in a way."

"Let's not talk now. We have an assembly to listen to."

"Sure."