-Still, I maintain the same opinion.
-That it's "fantastic and deep"?
-Exactly.
He smiled and shook his head.
-You're a good person, Orion. Maybe too good.
-No, I'm just honest. That makes me as rational as anyone else, Charles.
-Well... Whatever. Let's change the subject.
Silence. Albi was engrossed in conversation with Tristan, while Tiffani examined something she had written with the teacher.
-You know... About Atley?
-Huh? - He turned to me.
-He hasn't shown up for over a week, I was just... worried.
-He's ill.
-Oh, what's wrong?
-Um... Head... Ache? I think.
-If you need help with anything, I'm available.
-Relax, he's getting better, he'll be back soon.
-Okay.
-You guys seem to get along. - He pretended to be engrossed in scribbling on the corner of his sheet to avoid looking at me.
-Do you think so?
-Yes.
-We're friends, just like you and I, I suppose.
-Do you consider me your friend?
He looked at me intensely.
-I-I... I think so, don't you? - I was afraid he would make fun of me, but all he did was smile and murmur:
-Good... Me too.
I leaned back on the sofa and glanced back enough to see the moon through the window, beautiful and bright.
-He's sweeter than me.
-Pardon?
I sat up straight and adjusted my hair.
-Atley, he's more charming.
-Why do you say that?
-Because it's true.
-I think you're both sweet, I wouldn't say he's sweeter than you, just as I wouldn't say you're sweeter than him.
-You guys have more in common.
-So what? That doesn't make a person sweeter.
-Well... I'm not used to talking much to people, I think you already know too much.
-What do you mean?
-Orion, I'm the oldest one here, I'm responsible and serious, I write what I want, I judge others' work, in a good way, I'm the example, I have to be.
-Why do you put so much pressure on yourself?
-I'm five years older than you.
-So what? You're young, the teacher is responsible here, and in this group, he's also a learner, just like all of us. I don't think there have to be examples, or responsible and serious people, we're young people doing what we love, period.
-Believe me when I say the teacher is not responsible...
-We're all young with dreams, stop thinking like an adult with many responsibilities, and start thinking about the dreams you want to achieve.
-Maybe you're right.
-And don't compare yourself to Atley, Charles, everyone has their own characteristics.
YOU ARE READING
wordsmith's manuscript
RomansaIn the shadows of his own existence, a teenager engulfed in solitude, still torn by the loss of his sister and the anguish of caring for a mentally debilitated mother, is summoned by his teacher to join an after-school writing group. There, amidst t...
