''Goodmorning class! This is our new student - Malliah Walker. She just moved back here from Louisiana.'' The teacher presents me. ''Just do your best to make her feel welcomed'' He finishes and instructs me to take a seat in the second-last row. And that's when I noticed the five boys by the last row in class.
I recognized the wavy light brown hair and ocean blue eyes, Miles. Two of them were wearing stripes and the fourth one was wearing a black Nike cap. That's how I recognized the four boys from the bus.
Nearly having a clear sight of them all, I took a seat right in front of the boy who I still hadn't got the chance to have a real glimpse of yet, apart from his fluffy curly hair and his brown eyes.
He was the one who mouthed ''Odd name''. Not that it bothered me in any way, but the last time I heard those two words was seven years ago. I was ten.
He was the only friend I had, before my family and I moved to Louisiana for a good reason. And seven years later I still keep wondering about the same things. I wonder about the smallest things; If he ever got the red bicycle he wanted, dyed his hair green, got his sister the bracelet I made for her or if he ever got to see the Fisherman's Wharf like he wanted... I could go on. But that would only be the dreams and desires of the ten-year-old goofy boy I knew of. Best known as Shawn.
''Shawn''
I thought of how clear his name echoed in my head. Till I realized it wasn't in my head.
''Pss Shawn, switch for a sec''. Miles' voice came 3 chairs away from the one behind me. And that's when I couldn't stop but turn around to see the face behind me.
His hazel brown eyes meet mine. His fluffy curly hair was set and this time, I really got to see him close enough to notice a very recognizable detail. His cheek scar.
''Cheek scar'' I unconsciously breathed. I was the one who gave him that scar.
Wasn't there a tiny part of him that remembered me at all? Or was he doing it on purpose? But yet again.. 7 years is a long time. Why did I expect him to react differently even if he knew who I was? I guess we weren't that close after all. We were ten. 7 years Malliah! We are different people now. Totally different.
All of the sudden I caught myself staring at him, but he didn't seem to show any reaction or interest. He knew my name. He knew I was right in front of him, yet his eyes told me otherwise.
''Thanks bro'' Miles comes from behind and claps Shawn on the back as they switch seats.
''So you're from Louisiana huh?'' Miles starts talking to me as my eyes were three chairs away from him.
