Me and my Yapa (on hold)

Chapter 2 - Jasmine

The first time I saw her was when I was being showed around the school. She was walking back to class, her black hair tied back, but I could still see that it was long. Her brown eyes suddenly caught mine and I gave her a friendly smile. She stopped, obviously startled, but then she smiled back before running to class. The principal showed my parents and I the rest of the school and introduced us to a couple of students but not the aboriginal girl. I wanted to get to know her, she intrigued me. When my parents asked me if I wanted to go to this school I knew what my answer would be. Yes.

That night I had been invited to hang out with some of my soon to be classmates. I had hoped that the girl might be there, but when I turned up I realised that she wasn't there. A group of girls who are a bit over the top greeted me with squeals and hugs. I was quite shy when I realised that a lot of the kids were hanging out with fourteen and fifteen year olds, but I soon became comfortable.
"So have you thought about which group you will chose?" A girl asked me.
"What are my choices?" I turned to her giving a friendly smile, she was one of the girls I met earlier, I think her name was Kate.
" Well you have the populars, the drama queens, the nerds, the sporty people, the bookworms or a loner. If you don't choose the populars or the drama queens then you can be in two." Kate recited. I smiled.
"Well I will let you know tomorrow or the next day." I say trying not to laugh, luckily she walked away before I did. I stayed a bit longer before heading home so that I could get a good night sleep before my first day of school.

The next morning I looked around at my new classmates as Miss Green introduced me. I saw the girl up the back and was about to give a small wave when I realised that heaps of people had their hands up.
"Melanie, you can show Jasmine around." I realised that Miss Green had asked who would look after me. I had met Melanie on the way to school. She seemed nice, even if she was a bit stuck up. I went and sat next to her listening to Miss Green, while Melanie passed notes with another girl.

At recess, Melanie showed me around quickly before inviting me to sit with her while she pointed out groups and people. I listened curiously, while looking around when I spotted the girl.
"Who is that?" I asked pointing to her.
"I don't remember, her name might have been Chelsea or Carly? She is a loner, always sitting under that tree and not doing anything." Melanie shrugged and continued pointing people out. But I couldn't concentrate. I kept looking at the girl with no name. When she caught my eyes I gave her a small wave and a big smile. She frowned slightly before giving me a quick smile. Then she leaned back and closed her eyes. I wondered whether she was sleeping or thinking about something.

That night I told my parents about her.
"She is really pretty with long black hair and sparkly brown eyes. She has the darkest skin I have ever seen. I wonder where she is from?" I suddenly thought. My parents looked at each other before my mother spoke.
"Aboriginal parents can't care for their children properly, so the government has decided to let other people look after them." She explained.
"But that's mean, taking away someone's child." I protested.
"But sweetie, they can't care for them, it is really for the best." My mother said.
"But.."
"That's enough Jasmine," my father interrupted, "Your mother is right. Now let's eat our dinner."
I knew that what my father meant was that I need to stop thinking about her. But it was hard. She had looked so lonely, sitting by herself under the tree. I wanted to be her friend, but I didn't know how. Then it came to me, I would be a loner and then I could sit with her, maybe even be her friend. The rest of the class would probably reject me, but if I could be friends with the girl, it would be worth it.

As I was walking to school the next day, I suddenly became nervous. What if she didn't want to be my friend? What if I chose to be a loner and then she left or something? What would I do if I had no friends? But when I got to school and saw everyone in their small groups and she was standing all by herself, I knew I was making the right choice.

Before we went into class I spoke quietly to Melanie.
"How do I choose a group?" I asked. She looked at me closely before answering.
"You sit with them, once you have sat with them for a week, you are in their group." She explained.
"Thanks." I went into class, wondering how everyone would take my choice.

When we were let out for recess, I confidently walked over to the tree that she sat under, knowing that everyone was watching me.
"Hi, I'm Jasmine. What's your name?" I asked. She looked at me warily before answering.
"Charlie." She said it so quietly if I had been standing any further back, I wouldn't have heard her.
"I like that name, can I sit here?" She nodded so I sat down and made myself comfortable. She didn't say anything, just watched me. I hummed quietly as I ate my food.
"Do you want some?" I offered her some of my ham and cheese sandwich. She took a little bit and gave me a shy smile in return.
"How old are you? I am twelve." I asked her. She thought for a minute before replying.
"Twelve." She said in the same quiet voice. I happily chattered on about my life while she sat there nodding occasionally. Finally I asked the question that had been on my mind.
"Where are you from and why did you come here?" As soon as the question came out of my mouth, I knew it was a bad idea. Her friendly features shut down, her eyes glazed over and filled with tears.
"Oh no. I am so sorry Charlie, I knew I shouldn't have asked that. Are you ok?" I apologised quickly as I moved to give her a hug. She stiffened when I first touched her, before relaxing into it. I hugged her and talked quietly about school until the bell went.