Lost Joy

"Friends"

Everyday has been just like the one before. Wake up, go to school, come home, do homework, then sleep. But, this particular day would change things up a bit. I've been praying for an adventure, looks like I got what I wanted.

There was a new kid joining our class. He looked to be 6 foot with dark hair. He was to join my junior class. Strangely he wasn't smiling, so I was determined to make him feel welcome. For the lack of better words it was my job. I was nice to everyone and they are all my friends.

As he stood in front of the class he said "My name is Mark" just as the teacher instructed him to do. He then took an open seat which was two to the left of me.

Once class let out I went to my locker and got my lunch. I walked to the lunchroom saying hello to everyone I walked by. I took a seat with my fiends. I looked for Mark, he was sitting alone at a table in the corner.

"Hey guys I'm going to eat with Mark." I said standing up.

"See ya!" the girls said and waved as I walked away.  I waved back with a smile. The farther I got from them the more they whispered, laughed and secretly pointed at me. They must be talking about what a nice person I am.

I approached Mark "Hello, may I eat with you?" He looked up at me with his forest green eyes. Still no smile but he said "of course."

I sat across form him and said "My name is Page. We are in the same grade." I held my hand out to him and he shook it gently to not hurt me. "It's nice to meet you"

After we ate silently for a minute he looked at the table of girls I was with earlier.

"Why do you sit with them?"

"Because they are my friends" I chuckled thinking he was unaware of how society works. He looked at me and nodded as if he understood something now.

"Then why do they laugh at you?"

"Huh?" I turned around and saw them laughing. They were all huddled together laughing, pointing at me and looking back at me every now and then. I turned back around "They are probably just having a good time."

"Without you."

I pause then turned back around to look at the girls. "But, they are my friends.."

"Are they?"

I was speechless as I turned to face him again.

"If you want my advice I'd suggest you find some better friends. Those girls aren't worth your time." He said as he got up and threw away his trash since he was finished eating. I sat alone for a moment then left to the next period, Athletics. I'm a cheerleader so I go to practice on the football field while the rest run around the track.

I was unusually distracted during practice today. I couldn't stop thinking about what he said. With this new thought in mind I began to notice things I didn't before. Those girls are mean to me and everyone, even each other.

During practice Mark was running around the track with everyone else. He was considerably faster than the rest. A couple of times we caught each other staring at each other.

The following day at lunch instead of sitting with the girls I sat by Mark. He looked up at me. "looks like you took my advice."

"Since yesterday, I've noticed how they treat everyone. They aren't nice at all."

Mark nodded and they sat in silence for a moment.

"You.." I said softly "you were just trying to protect me by saying what you did."

Mark looked up at me. " Yes" he said simply.

"Thank you" I said staring into his eyes.

"Your welcome" he said and again, no smile.

That night I went home with no smile either. I went strait to my room without saying anything to either of my parents. I laid on my bed staring at my ceiling. About 15 minutes later my mother came in.

"Hey sweetie, anything wrong?" she said in a calm and kind tone.

"There is nothing wrong, just something I haven't understood till now."

"What would that be?"

"My friends, Lilly, Anna, Bailey, Emily, and Kayla. They were never really my friends at all.."

"Why do you say that? Did something happen?"

I sat up and looked at her. "Well, There is a new boy in my class, Mark, and I wanted to befriend him so I sat with him at lunch. He brought up the idea that maybe my friends were not really true friends. He pointed out that they were laughing at me. Today I noticed how mean they are to not only me but to everyone. I sat with him again today. He was really trying to protect me. He doesn't even know me but he looks out for me."

"Wow, they all seemed so nice, I wonder what happened. But this Mark sounds like a good friend to me."

"Yeah, he is." I said looking at the ground.

"Why don't you come down and have some dinner." She said rubbing my back a little. I looked up and smiled.

"Yes, Please." I said then walked with her downstairs to eat.