Art Museum

BOOK FIVE

During the walk home, Joshua and Isabel were talking. "So, how come you never speak to anyone?" Joshua asked. "Well, I have social anxiety, and besides I'll never be popular like you or my sister, I'll always be one of those people that no one ever pays attention to. I don't matter" answered Isabel. "Who's your sister? And don't say that, you're important, of course you matter. Just because you have social anxiety doesn't mean that you aren't important. You just have trouble communicating with other people. It's completely understandable" Isabel felt special, no one has ever told her that she was important before. "Lilian Galori. Besides, what do you know about social anxiety? You're popular, you don't have to worry about things like that, and why are you hanging out with a loser like me?" "Well, I'm just saying how I feel. Personally, popularity doesn't matter to me, it doesn't matter how "cool" or "popular" you are. It's your personality that matters. All of the people who are "popular" have terrible personalities. I don't really see myself as popular, I'm kind of different. I like to surround myself with people who are considered outcasts. I'm not even popular, I just hang out with popular kids. See you, you're different too. I know I don't know much about you, but I can tell that you're different" "I like your point of view, but once again, why did you even approach me?" "Like I said, you're mysterious, and I love it. I really want to get to know you, well, if it's okay with you" "Well, my life story isn't the happiest" "If you feel comfortable enough to tell me, just know that I'm always available to listen. You can trust me, but if you don't want to tell me, then I understand" "You sure you want to know? It's a long story" "I'm okay with that. I want to get to know you better" "Well, for starters, I'm adopted. My real parents didn't want me, which bothers me so much. It just proves that I'm not good enough. They left me outside of an orphanage on September 18th. I don't even know my real birthday. I don't know where I was born. I don't know my nationality. I don't even know what they were going to name me. On September 20th, a woman named Keyla adopted me. She couldn't have children so she adopted them instead. She already had 2 kids before me, which are Lilian and Justin. They were always mean to me, and they still are, which is why I like my younger siblings more, Zeliya and Harold" "Your real parents are missing out on a beautiful child. I'm sure that you're a wonderful person. You are different, and I'm sorry for everything you've been through. If you let me, I can help you view the positives of life. You deserve to be happy, no matter what" "Thank you, but I don't think you can help me, I'm pretty depressed" This was the first time Isabel ever told anyone, besides Mr. Blake, her life story.