"What are you scared of?"
"What?"
"What scares you?"
"Dying alone, probably."
"And why's that?"
"I... I don't know honestly. I guess i always was."
Of course, I was just a kid. Nobody wants to die alone, right? Maybe it was because people didn't like me. I was weird. Or maybe it was because people didn't pay attention to me. I hated being alone. It felt weird, like i didn't actually exist. That i was just a presence between others. But, everyone had friends. Why didn't I? I was a kid, just like others! But they didn't seem to think i was as cool as the others. So I played, alone. Everyday. I stopped trying to make new friends. I lied to mommy, telling her I had a nice day with my friends.
"Why are you alone?"
-People don't like me.
"But, you look really sweet. Why don't they?"
-I don't know.
"Well, I'llbe your friend!"
-Would you?
"Yeah!"
-Thank you.
I didn't know who she was, nor why she came to me but I didn't really care. I had a friend. It felt nice. Does it always feels like that when you have friends? I don't know. We played in the sand, making a castle. We talked, of course. She introduced herself.
"I'm Elena. My mommy told me it means "shining light" in Greek."
-That's a nice name. I'm...
Wait.
What's my name again?
She looked at me and waited. A bit of concern took place on her face when she noticed i struggled.
"Did you forget your name?"
-Yes.
She didn't say anything. I just made a fool of myself. Who forgets their name?
"I'll call you Kitty!"
-Huh? Why?
"It means "pure" in greek."
A chuckle left her lips. I looked at her and smiled.
-Alright then, you can call me Kitty.
"Great!"
The bell rang, announcing the students to go back to their class. I stood up and pat my shorts gently, removing the sand that was on them, then gave my hand to Elena who politely refused it.
"Go to class, I'll join you soon"
-Okay!
Asking for more informations would surely make her uncomfortable since she probably would've told me if she really wanted to. I couldn't help hut be confused when I looked at her, still sitting in the sand. Why wouldn't she come if she didn't have anything to do? I stood behind my classmates that were making a chain, waiting for the teacher to allow them to go back inside. My gaze was stuck on my new friend who haven't moved an inch since i left.
Half of an hour passed by, still no sign of Elena. Maybe she got lost? 40 minutes. She's probably with a teacher. 50 minutes. Where could she be? An hour. Class had finished now and she didn't show up. It's now lunch time and we went outside to eat with the group. I look around in the school's playground,she wasn't here. Was it just a joke? I don't want it to be. It felt so nice. I had a friend.
The day ended, my mommy picked me up from school and we went back home. During dinner, I told her about my new friend and she seemed happy to hear about her, until I told her about how Elena wasn't here for the rest of the day. She looked confused.
The next day, it happened again. She was here during the recess but the rest of the day, poof, no sign of life. It had somehow become a routine. We meet at the break, then i spend the rest of my day alone. It's okay though, atleast she was here with me.
We grew up. People made fun of me for not having any friends but i never fought back. Elena listened to me and comforted me when i was sad then she would make jokes to cheer me up, which they worked all the time. I'm now in fourth grade. We often do teamworks and I end up alone but it's okay, I don't mind. Atleast I have good grades. Elena helps me with things I don't understand and I help her do her hair. She loves when I do her hair and I think she's really pretty with those hairstyles.
We grew up. People think I'm weird and they throw things at me when they get the chance to. I never fought back. There's no point in it, that's what Elena told me. Fighting back with give them what they want; my attention. She comforts me when I'm sad, helps me with my work and what do I do in exchange? I style her hair. It's all she asks me to do in return so I never really complained. I'm in 7th grade. My grades are good but school is kinda tiring. We have to change class for every subjects and sometimes I go to the wrong class. It's okay though, Elena is here.
"Hey Kitty! You look tired, rough day?"
-Yeah, I got late to two of my classes so i had to run through the school.
"Poor thing, still can't get used to your new school as I see?"
-You're right.
I chuckle. She does the same then turns around, her back facing me. I knew what she meant and smiled.
-What hairstyle do you want today?
"Mhh..."
She thought for a few seconds then smiled.
"Anything! Do the hairstyle you like most on me."
I immediately started to play with her hair, already knowing which one I would do. After a few seconds, I was done.
"Pony with my bangs sticking out?"
-Yup!
I smiled proudly. She turned to face me and laughed, leaving me in confusion.
-What's so funny?
I asked nicely, giving her a intrigued look.
"Oh, nothing important don't worry."
-If you say so.
The bell rang. I waved goodbye at her then went back in the building to finish my day.
We grew up.
I stopped questioning myself about why Elena never showed up at school but still knew alot of things. I thought that maybe she was doing school at home. Maybe she learned the essential with her family, that could explain why she wouldn't show up the entire day, except at my break. Our meeting routine was the same since 3rd grade and never changed. I liked it that way and she did too. I'm in 9th grade. People stopped bullying me, simply ignoring me. Nobody talked to me, not even the new students. It's okay, I don't mind. Why care? They stopped harassing me, I shouldn't complain. I had Elena and it's all what matters. Our routine was the same, I did her hair, she helped me with my work. She never really told me why she didn't go to school like the other kids but I didn't really dared to ask her.
We grew up.
I'm now in my last year of high-school, people kept ignoring me. I had my own little place and I didn't bother people by taking space. Elena helped me with my work, I did her hair. Nothing changed since 3rd grade, only my reputation towards the others. She didn't care what others thought about me and I was trully glad of it.
I was doing her hair like everyday, putting them in a ponytail, my favourite.
"I won't always be here, you know that, Kitty?"
-Hm? What do you mean?
Her tone was different than usual. Her voice cracked like she was about to cry. I didn't like seeing her that way.
"We'll have to grow apart one day. I supported you throughout your school years but you're growing up, you're becoming an adult."
She stopped. I knew she wanted to say something but didn't, aware that it could've hurt me. She wasn't even facing me but i knew she was crying. I kept playing with her hair, gently rubbing her back aswell.
I grew up.
[1330 words]
Hii!! I'm trying this story since I got the sudden idea to write this. I know this chapter is extremly short but I didn't felt like writing a whole plot in one chapter. The following ones will be longer I promise:) Hope you enjoyed!!]