A Scar from my Past

2. Making friends

I run inside content that I am on time. It is very chaotic here. Everybody is running around.Why? And why are there so many parents here? Can't they just leave their kids alone. We are not even kids anymore. I am 13.

Why would anyone need their parents help to do anything when they are already 13? I like independent people. They are the best kind. You don't see them running to their parents whenever they are in a little trouble.

After my little mental rant, I start moving towards a group of people. All the parents are very excited and talking to each other while their kids are just glaring at their parents. They must be so embarrassed.

After judging them all I want, I move on to a different group gathered near a notice board. It looks like I am the only person here not accompanied by a parent. I mentally pat myself on my shoulder for this little achievement.

It took a lot of effort to convince my parents not to come. They used to protest a lot in the beginning but after a while, we came to terms that I would do whatever I want irrespective of their permission. Things have been going my way ever since then.

The notice board has a list of names allotted to each class. I make my way through the huge swarm of parents , they let me through as I was a student. I notice that they are 2 sections in the 8th grade. My previous school had 4.

There was a total of 38 students in my class. 8A. my class. There was also an 8B. The sections were divided based on the stream people chose. All those who chose central stream along with me are in A, while all those who chose State stream are in B.

There is an addressing by the principle in the next few minutes. So I go and occupy one of the vacant seats in the area. The addressing is going to happen on the main stage.

Almost all of the seats were filled in the next few minutes. Beside me, a family of 5 are seated. Jones and Parim are the names I learned. One in class 7 and another in 9. Parim was good looking. But the fact that even his grandma came along with him for his admission is a little off-putting.

Jones is a very funny guy. He secretly told me that he didn't want his parents to come. Which felt good. Their mother was a very nosy person. She wanted to know everything about me before she let her boys talk to me.

Her inquiries included Where is your house? Why are you alone? Don't your parents care about you? Which grade are you in? Do you have any pets? Do you know anyone here? Are you nervous?

I was saved when Jones offered to sit beside me instead of her. The situation was a lot better after that. Jones and I have become good friends already. We have many common areas of interest.

But Parim looked like a very mysterious guy. He kept glancing at me every now and then but never spoke on his own accord. He used to just answer me in just single-syllabic words for everything I asked.

So I just start talking to Jones instead. He is very innocent and pure. I'm starting to love his company. Looks like he likes me too. A good start.

To my right, a very nervous girl's mother is sitting. The girl named Frea was very nervous from the beginning. Her mother unlike Jones's was very sweet. She introduced herself first and then introduced me to Frea. She is too nervous. Hi was the only thing she said to me all this time.

The Principal is now on the stage, so the noisy ground filled with people is now silent. The first few minutes is just about bragging about the school and usual stuff like the programs they are offering and so.

After a few minutes, I got bored and Jones joined me in imitating the Principal. We are giggling among ourselves and a few parents are glaring at us. I'm thankful that Jones's mom Pearl (what a nice name for a horrible woman) has not hit me already for corrupting her innocent child.

A few kids around are looking at us and smiling approvingly. Well, at least some of the students are friendly and approve of a little fun . That's a bit relieving.

I was talking to a girl named Gilly behind me when I feel a tap on my shoulder. It is Jones. He is pointing at the stage. I look towards the stage and the principal was looking me in the eye.

" You seem to be entertaining the crowd a little bit. Do you mind sharing it with us so that we can laugh as well?"

I just smiled nervously , not already I thought to myself. I mouthed a sorry and the principal is now back to his speech.

I hear Pearl telling Jones not to talk to me anymore. He looks at me and winks. Wow, I really like this kid. By the time the speech is concluded, I've made a few friends.

All of us were dismissed and the parents were asked to leave the campus. I'm finally relieved. Mo more stares and disgusting looks my way. Or at least I'm hoping that their kids are not the same as they are.

My class is in block F but I don't know where in the block. And we were asked to assemble in our classrooms in 5 minutes. OMG, I've got only 5 minutes to find my classroom. Most of the parents have already searched for the classrooms of their kids so they were already moving toward their respective classrooms.

I quickly say goodbye to Jones and a few other people and rush towards the notice board again. It was almost empty, so basically everyone has gone to their classrooms or are already on their way. I look at the list. Ahh, 3rd floor . And block F is all the way behind the stage.

I need to run now or I'll be late. I can't be late. So I start sprinting. My athletic skills are useful at least now. My lean body has helped me squeeze through the people moving in the opposite direction.

At last, I reach block F. I've got 1 minute and 3 floors to climb and a huge group of people to move through. Shouting out "Excuse Me " all the way I gradually make my way through.

"Watch where you are going!!" a guy yells at me, I just took over him, so I assume he id just jealous. I look back and I'm staring at the guy straight in the face now. He looked stunning. The first thing that caught my attention was his thick monobrow.

"Sorry," I mutter slowly and continue. I finally reach my classroom.