As the days passed, May came, bringing with it the warmth of summer and the promise of new beginnings. During this time, I met some of the most genuine friends I've ever known. One of them was Roy, a classmate who shared my enthusiasm for mangas and animes. Our friendship blossomed over our mutual love for these animated stories, creating a bond that was both unexpected and deeply fulfilling.
"Hey, Incia, have you watched 'Demon Slayer' yet?" Roy asked one day during lunch.
"No, I haven't," I replied, intrigued. "Is it good?"
"It's amazing," he said, his eyes lighting up with excitement. "You have to watch it, especially the 'Mugen Train' movie. It's thrilling!"
Taking his recommendation to heart, I started watching 'Demon Slayer' and was instantly hooked. The storyline, the characters, the animation – everything about it was captivating. When I watched the 'Mugen Train' movie, I was on the edge of my seat the entire time, and I couldn't wait to discuss it with Roy.
"You're right, Roy! 'Mugen Train' was incredible," I gushed the next day.
"I knew you'd like it," he replied, a satisfied smile on his face. "I've got more recommendations if you're interested."
"Absolutely," I said eagerly. "Let's exchange pendrives so I can download some animes for you too."
And so, we started exchanging pendrives regularly. I would download animes from various websites and transfer them to Roy's pendrive. His pendrive had a keychain of the Eiffel Tower attached to it, which I found absolutely adorable.
"Where did you get this keychain?" I asked one day, holding up the pendrive.
"My sister brought it from an online platform," he replied. "She knows I love collecting keychains."
"Well, it's cute," I said, handing it back to him.
Our bond grew stronger with each passing day. We had our fair share of arguments too, mostly because I was quite talkative while Roy was more reserved. But those disagreements never lasted long.
One day, Roy's birthday was approaching, and I wanted to do something special for him. I decided to prepare a jar filled with 105 small chits, each containing a quote or a heartfelt message. Beside it, I placed an envelope with a letter and a box of dry fruits chocolates.
The day before his birthday, however, we had a minor argument, and we didn't talk much. It left me feeling anxious and uncertain about giving him the gift.
"Should I even bother?" I asked Amaira, as we were packing up to head to our respective buses. "What if he doesn't want it?"
"You'll never know unless you try," Amaira replied, offering me a reassuring smile. "Just give it to him. I'm sure he'll appreciate it."
Summoning my courage, I approached Roy. "Hey, can I talk to you for a second?" I asked hesitantly.
He looked at me, his expression unreadable. "I don't want anything, Incia," he said flatly, and my heart sank.
Feeling numb, I walked towards my bus, trying to hold back tears. Amaira, sensing my distress, went over to talk to Roy. By the time I reached the bus's right-side windows, I had lost all hope. Suddenly, I heard footsteps running towards me.
"Incia!" someone called, but I didn't look back. I thought I must have imagined it.
Then, out of nowhere, Roy appeared, running up to me. Before I could react, he hugged me tightly from behind, engulfing me completely in his arms. The children on the bus started hooting and teasing us, causing my cheeks to flush.
"I'm sorry," Roy whispered in my ear. "I didn't mean what I said. I do want your gift."
Stunned, I turned around and handed him the jar of chits, the letter, and the chocolates. His friend, who had been watching, smirked and thanked me as well.
"Thank you, Incia," Roy said, his eyes filled with genuine gratitude. "This means a lot to me."
I nodded, too emotional to speak. As they walked towards their bus, I texted Amaira, thanking her for intervening.
When I got home, I opened Snapchat and saw that Roy had posted a snap of my gifts, tagging me and expressing his joy. Seeing him happy made my heart swell with happiness.
As the month progressed, I found myself surrounded by new friends who brought a fresh perspective to my life. Roy was a constant presence, and our shared love for anime and manga became a cornerstone of our friendship.
"Have you watched 'Attack on Titan'?" Roy asked one day as we sat in the school courtyard.
"Not yet," I replied. "Is it as good as everyone says?"
"Better," he said with a grin. "I'll bring you the episodes tomorrow."
True to his word, Roy handed me his pendrive the next day, the Eiffel Tower keychain swaying gently. I transferred the episodes to my laptop and spent the next few nights binge-watching the series. It was exhilarating, and I couldn't wait to discuss it with Roy.
"You're right, 'Attack on Titan' is phenomenal!" I exclaimed during our lunch break.
"Told you," he said, looking pleased. "What did you think of the characters?"
We spent the next hour dissecting the plot, the characters, and our favorite moments. It was refreshing to have someone who shared my passion and understood the intricacies of these stories.
Our friendship wasn't without its challenges, though. Roy's reserved nature sometimes clashed with my more outspoken personality, leading to occasional disagreements.
"Why do you always have to argue?" Roy asked one day, exasperated.
"I'm not arguing, I'm just expressing my opinion," I replied defensively.
"Sometimes it feels like you don't listen," he said quietly.
His words stung, but they made me realize that I needed to be more considerate. "I'm sorry, Roy," I said sincerely. "I'll try to be better."
"It's okay," he said, smiling slightly. "I know you mean well."
Amaira continued to be a pillar of support through all the ups and downs. She was always there to lend an ear or offer advice, and her presence was a source of comfort.
"How do you manage to stay so calm?" I asked her one day.
"I guess I've just learned to pick my battles," she replied with a shrug. "And I always try to see things from the other person's perspective."
Her words stuck with me, and I tried to apply them to my interactions with Roy and others. Slowly, I found myself growing and maturing, learning to navigate the complexities of friendships and relationships.
One evening, as we sat in the school courtyard, Amaira turned to me and said, "You know, despite everything, this year has taught us a lot."
"Yeah," I agreed, thinking about all the challenges we had faced. "It's been a rollercoaster, but I'm grateful for it."
"And we're stronger because of it," she said, smiling.
Roy's birthday was a turning point in our friendship. Despite the initial tension, the moment he hugged me from behind and apologized was etched in my memory. It was a reminder that true friends are willing to make amends and value the bonds they share.
The next day after Roy's birthday, I walked into the classroom with a mixture of nerves and excitement. I saw Roy sitting at his usual spot near the window, and I made my way over to him. As I sat down, a group of his friends approached me, their faces lit up with curiosity and anticipation.
"Hey, Incia," one of them said, leaning on the edge of my desk. "Did you give Roy those chocolates?"
I felt a blush creep up my cheeks and nodded. "Yes, I did. Why do you ask?"
"They were really tasty," another friend chimed in, grinning. "Roy let us have some."
I couldn't help but smile at their enthusiasm. "I'm glad you liked them."
Roy, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke up. "Yeah, I shared them with everyone. They were too good to keep all to myself."
His words warmed my heart, and I felt a sense of accomplishment knowing that my gift had been well-received. The awkwardness of our argument from the previous day seemed to melt away, replaced by the camaraderie of shared treats and mutual understanding.
As the class went on, I found myself feeling more at ease. Roy's friends had welcomed me into their circle, and I felt a renewed sense of belonging. Our bond had grown stronger, and I realized that true friendships are built on small, meaningful gestures and the willingness to share and support one another.
As the school year progressed, our friendship deepened. We continued to share our love for anime and manga, exchanged recommendations, and supported each other through thick and thin.
One day, as we sat in the library, Roy handed me a new pendrive. "Here, this one's for you," he said, smiling.
I looked at it, noticing a small keychain of a cute anime character. "Thanks, Roy," I said, touched by the gesture.
"You're welcome," he replied. "I thought you'd like it."
Our bond grew stronger with each passing day, and I realized that genuine friendships are built on mutual respect, understanding, and shared passions.
As the end of the school year approached, I felt a sense of accomplishment and growth. The challenges I had faced had shaped me into a more resilient and understanding person. I was ready to move forward, embracing new experiences and cherishing the friendships I had formed.
Roy, Amaira, and my new friends were a constant source of support and inspiration. They had taught me the value of true friendship and the importance of being there for each other.
One evening, as we sat in the school courtyard, Roy turned to me and said, "You know, despite everything, I'm glad we met."
"Me too," I replied, smiling. "You have been amazing."
The memories of 12th grade would always be a part of me, but I knew I was stronger for having faced them. As I prepared to write the next chapters of my life, I felt a renewed sense of purpose and excitement.
Looking back, I realized that the experiences of 12th grade had shaped me in ways I couldn't have imagined. They had tested my strength and resilience, but they had also shown me the value of true friendship and the importance of self-respect.