[OC Story] Drew And Lou: Friendship With Elementary's Dumb Kid

Drew-Lou: Bright Friend, Dumb Friend

The first day of Grade Five, or fifth grade.

Normally, the first week in grade-school or elementary was filled with class orientations about the teachers, school staff, activities, programs, class schedules, rules and regulations, etc.

It was common these class orientations were like beginnings of things, which meant first class activities such as a get-to-know-each-other.

An air-conditioned fifth grade classroom. Bright walls convince the cozy, kid-friendly atmosphere. Small figures in school uniforms settle in the rows and columns of right-handed and left-handed wooden armchairs.

"Ahem. Lift your sight at once."

There was a gentle tap on Drew's shoulder, which still surprised him as it did snap him to reality. Despite being a classmate, it was still someone new approaching him on his first day.

Drew looks up from his drawing and turns to his seatmate who called his attention, curved strands of his hair hanging over his face that avert to the direction.

His seatmate was grinning politely at him, his wavy hair meekly bouncing against his cheeks once glancing his way.

"It's your turn to introduce yourself now. Ms. Blight already said so."

Unprepared eyes widening slightly and realizing, Drew first glances up and witnesses a lady in her late twenties staring down at him with her black eyeliner.

Ms. Blight, their goth teacher, was confirmed and sighted to be expecting something from him.

His once drifting mind while doodling was alerted with newfound anxiety upon seeing all his other classmates waited for his response.

"Rise." Ms. Blight orders theatrically, yet keeping a straight face, a little too serious even. "Make yourself known."

Drew stood up in obedient panic, keeping his head low. He hoped to end his recitation quickly, so he anxiously attempts to answer fast enough.

"...name is... years old..." He mumbles too softly in volume.

"Huh?"
"I can't hear him!"
"What did he say?"
Some of the other pupils murmured and whispered.

His cheeks flushed red in silent humiliation. He even thought himself to be talking in normal volume.

"Do louden your voice." Ms. Blight instructs.

He awkwardly clears his throat, swallowing. "My- My name is Drew and, uh, I'm t-ten years old."

Still, to most of the children, he was heard but incoherent, as though he was eating his words and rushing his mumbles.

"Very well. Please pay attention next time."

Drew sits back down, hands fiddling on his lap and head still bowed. He stares down at his shaky, sweaty palms while shame of his meager introduction left a foul memory in mind.

Shortly, his previous wavy-haired seatmate was next, standing up knowingly and braced for his time unlike him.  Drew can only glumly listen to this kid beside him, feeling too ashamed to finish his drawing.

This boy smiled rather radiantly, perhaps simply remaining well-behaved. That, or he was genuinely excited for his first day.

"Hi, my name is Lou! I am ten years old!"

Ms. Blight seemed convinced, but her face remained calm, moving on to the very next student in the same row. After Lou happily sat down, Drew felt increasingly embarrassed.

Good for him, Drew thought gloomily. His introduction was loud and clear... Seems like a nice kid, though.

Despite regretting that unimpressive first impression of his own, Drew's doodling apparently wasn't enough to prevent him from falling asleep halfway through the class orientation of introducing the teachers and school staff.