Hope's Letter to God Part 2

Hope's Letter Part 2

"There are friends who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother" Proverbs 18:24

One year. That is how long Hope has been at Highgarden Boarding School and classes were going well. Even after a year though, her companion was still loneliness. Hope knew the names of many of her fellow students, but her shyness and fears of rejection and abandonment had prevented her from integrating herself in the social aspects of school.

It was a Sunday and Hope was attending Church when the Pastor was giving a sermon on eschatology when Hope remembered the letter she was writing to God, so when Hope returned to her room, she pulled out the letter that was in her footlocker and went down to the hall for lunch.

Dear Father, the last time I wrote, I was just arriving at school. Well, it's been a year and I'm sitting here in the hall alone as always; I thought I would talk to you. Hope continued on.

I'm twelve now but nothing has changed. Did you get my last letter? I think you did but I haven't seen any signs. It's lunch time and I just came from Sunday Service. I still have no real friends I can talk to, I only really go to classes, swimming or hang out in the common room or the library. In a year, I haven't learned any social skills yet.

Putting her pen down for a moment to eat her food and refill her cup, Hope looked around the hall and she couldn't help but feel empty, lonely and a little resentful and frustrated at her continuing exclusion by her peers. Hope had always felt as though something was wrong with her, that there has always been a hole in her life that she could never fill.

After leaving the lunch hall, Hope waited in the common room and reviewed her class notes for the day. She was especially fond of her classes – all of them and she looked forward to each lesson but if she had to choose a favourite it would have to be the Technologies class as she absolutely loves modern technology and what it can do. Hope dreamed of one day having her own technology company, inspired by Iron Man. Hope always wanted to be just like him except for the fighting, she never wanted to do that.

I enjoy my classes and the activities, but I still can't seem to become part of a social group. I hate the feeling of loneliness and being an extra who is always there. Why can't I make a friend?

I know the people in my groups are nice and can be warm but it's difficult forming a relationship with them when they have their own circle of friends. The bell rang right then, so Hope headed to her next class.

I have to go report to the school newspaper now. Yes, I joined the school paper because I love to write and experience things as they happen and it's a great development tool.

Packing up her books and letters, Hope made her way to the school newspaper, Highgarden Scoop to get her assignment for the week. Each year the Scoop reports on the activities, events and developments of their school and the students are occasionally given special assignments to do locally.

Over the moon about her assignment, Hope set off to her afternoon classes incredibly happy and looking forward to the rest of the week. She tried to give her lessons her full attention, but her mind kept going to how she felt, knowing there was no one to share her excitement or achievements with her and wished more than ever for one true friend.

The next day Hope makes her way to her first class which was English and one of her favourite classes. Hope's teacher announces that the class will be given an assignment researching their year mates for the upcoming Multi-cultural School fair, which honours the diversity of students attending Highgarden. Hope started panicking a bit as her people skills are severely lacking and she wasn't sure how she was going to be able to do this assignment. Pushing that aside for now, Hope turned her attention back to her teacher.

Good afternoon class, welcome! Today you will be receiving your first assignment which will be done in pairs. Today's lesson will help you with this assignment which will be due in two weeks. Also, I will let you choose your partner if you wish, but I do not want to see anyone ignoring those who are not your friends, So I do not want to see you choosing your friends. I will give you ten minutes to choose your partner. Go!

Once Hope heard they could choose their partners, her heart sank. She had always been last to be chosen or overlooked.

Who will partner with me? She thought. Hope honestly didn't think anyone would want to partner with her and she didn't have the courage to ask anybody. Hope knew who she wanted to ask to work with her. A girl named Emma whom she shared a dorm with. Emma is a bubbly, outgoing girl who makes friends easily and so Hope felt drawn to her. Perhaps this was the sign she asked God for?

Looking around she noticed that many of her classmates had partners and was disappointed to see that someone was talking to Emma until Hope noticed she was looking at her. Hope was surprised when Emma walked over to her and asked,

Do you have a partner yet? Emma asked while smiling kindly at her.

No, not yet, Hope said quietly, is it that obvious she asked, shyly avoiding eye contact.

I was hoping to be partners but wasn't brave enough, Hope stated truthfully fully expecting rejection.

Emma agreed, giving Hope the first genuine smile, she had received since arriving at Highgarden.

I've been wanting to talk to you, Emma admitted, and took her seat next to Hope. The two began to work on the day's assignment.

As the lesson progressed, the class engaged in real world scenarios and mock interviews in preparation for our assignment and it gave Hope the opportunity to gauge her weaknesses and strengths she may have. The teacher had us begin with introductions, verbal, and physical cues.

Hi, my name is Hope...