Grade School

We’re in the last rows in our classroom, I want to distance myself from everyone and that's why I’m here. My life was quiet, the teacher never noticed me so I can do whatever I want

But this new kid…

Ruined everything

She kept raising her hand making the teacher realize that I never participated in class

‘how about you miss Kim? Do you know the answer?’ our teacher asked me, which was a first. He never sees me

Even at the back of our class she still managed to charm everyone

She’s that noisy and lively

She kept on asking me questions about the lessons and about me

‘Jennie how old are you?’

‘Do you have any nickname?’

‘Do you know how to ride a bike?’

‘I saw a playground near our house, wanna go there later?’

And the most occurring one

‘Hey do you know the answer to question number 8?’

-

I used to skip lunch, we’re not allowed to eat lunch inside the classroom and I don't want to sit with other people in the cafeteria, I’ll just endure hunger than to suffocate myself with those people.

The bell rang notifying everyone that it's time for lunch.

I felt a tap on my shoulder and when I looked, It’s her back with that smile of hers.

“Let’s have lunch?” she asked me

“I don't eat lunch,” I said to her with a straight face, I can feel my stomach growl but I’ll endure

“Come on~ my dad gave me something sweet for dessert we can share!”

I hesitated as I saw the clear container, I don't know what’s the dessert inside but it seems delicious. I remembered my dad saying that her dad is a chef

I was about to accept her offer when I sense a group of girl’s approaching our direction. They’re probably going to ask her to eat lunch with them.

“No thanks,” I stood up from my seat

Days passed by and I still don't accept her offer. But she still kept asking.

I was wondering the halls when I accidentally overheard a conversation between Lisa and one of our classmates.

She never listened to what the other kids have been saying about me

I can still hear her words back when a kid asked her why she wants to spend her time with me even if I have been labeled as a loner and an uptight person, even if I turn her down every single time she asks me to go with her.

‘Lisa why do you keep on inviting her for lunch, she’s a really scary person if I were you just stay away from her’

‘Scary?, How can she be scary?’

‘You’re a newcomer here just trust us’

‘No, that’s not right. I trust what I see, I’ll trust what I feel. Now what I see is a nice and quiet person. I don't have the right to label her as scary unless I feel that she is, now excuse me I have to go eat lunch’

She left them, and I never see her talk to them anymore.

-

Our maid is sick and no one knows how to cook in our family, even my mother,

“Jennie just buy some snacks in school for now”

But the problem is that I don't eat in school. now I’m hungry before I even get to school.

It’s gonna be a long day.

-

I couldn't understand anything, my brain is too focused on how hungry I am.

I can sense Lisa’s eyes on me, but I ignored it.

After like an eternity lunch came.

I don't know if I’ll risk eating with my classmates or just die of hunger. I closed my eyes and wait for everyone to leave the classroom. After a few minutes, the classroom seems to be quiet I assumed that everyone left.

I opened my eyes and the first thing I saw was Lisa seating at a vacant chair in front of me.

“Come with me,” she said with a smile. While offering me her hand.

Maybe it’s out of hunger that I reached out for her hand, maybe my brain is starting to fail its main function

she dragged me to the school rooftop.

“Here, I know you’re hungry,” she said as she offered a lunch box to me.

I didn't know what to do, my brain says I should take it while my pride says no, plus that’s her lunch. What will she eat if I take it?

“Come on~ I asked my dad to make 2 lunches today, I can't eat those on my own,” she said with a smile on her face

“T-thank you” I gave up, I need food

This is embarrassing

I’m sure my face is red. I tried to hide my face from her

“Eat up~”

I looked up and is already full of food

I opened the container and the food looks really delicious, well decorated with garnishes. Her dad must be a really good chef, this looks appetizing

I took a bite and I think

this is the best food I've ever tasted in my life

“It’s good right?” Lisa said with a confident grin

“Y-yes, thank you so much Lisa” I smiled at her.

It’s my genuine smile, a smile I rarely show

“You don't want to eat at the cafeteria right?” Lisa asked

“Yes” my answer is short, this is embarrassing.

“I understand why,” Lisa said. I looked up and she’s just busy eating her lunch

I did not respond at that.

I don't want to look like a loser

“They’re a bunch of jerks,” Lisa said as she placed a spoonful of rice in

“yeah”

That’s all I said.

We finished eating but we just stayed at our position,

“Wanna have lunch again tomorrow?” she said as she laid down on the floor, I guess she’s watching the clouds.

I’ve been studying here for 5 years and the rooftop as my eating place during lunch never came to my head.

I think I like her company

She’s really nice too

“I like that,” I said to her

She looked at me when I said that

“You’re prettier when you smile,” she said with a grin

-

Weeks have gone by and we started to become close to each other. We’re together in school and after school

You have successfully convinced me to go out of the house after school, of course, my piano teacher and mother is not happy about it but we always manage to outrun them.

You taught me how to ride a bike, how to fly a kite, how to make paper boats, how to climb trees

How to enjoy life

My mom thinks otherwise, she hates your guts and says you’re a bad influence on me.

Good thing your dad plays golf and my dad likes him.

If my mom doesn't let me play with you I'll ask my dad and as always he’ll say yes

‘It’s okay to have fun once in a while’ Lisa said with that smile of hers