To me, a smile is an expression that can convey countless expressions. It can reveal happiness, conceal lies behind a forced grind, or surface awkwardness when someone feels out of place. A smile, when genuine, is the most beautiful thing one can witness—a reflection of joy, pride, and warmth. A smile given to you, a smile caused by you. But my classmate, Veronica Castillo, never smiles. Not once last year in 9th grade, and today, on July 22nd, 2024, the first day of 10th grade. She looks as distant as ever.
I walked through the empty halls as I got to school too early and there weren't many stendents yet. I approached my classroom for this year, not knowing what to expect, as I opened the door and went inside, I looked around and saw that someone had already been there before me, it was Veronica Castillo. She was quietly reading a book on the left side corner of the classroom—as I looked at her for a short moment, before making my way to the seat at the opposite corner by the window. When I sat down, I thought, "Maybe I should try and be friends with her this year" Since I rarely interacted with her the previous year, I thought it couldn't hurt to try as I think we're both in need of a friend, though my heart was against me, it was racing, a nervous ache as I glanced over to her, then quickly looked away, I forced myself to breathe, thinking maybe, just maybe, I'd say hi. But, before I could even stand and approach her, she closed her book and looked at me from the other side of the class, with her ice-cold gaze that pierced my eyes as they met with hers. She then spoke.
Veronica: "Are you staring at me for a reason, or is being a creep just your hobby?" Her tone was flat, and her expression was cold, unimpressed.
I stiffened from her sudden remark and stuttered nervously as I quickly replied.
David: "N-No!.. It's not what you think... I was just thinking about talking to you but I... hesitated..."
Veronica then paused as she looked at me before speaking.
Veronica: "What do you want?" She asked casually with a cold tone.
I clenched my hands, sweat dripping from my chin, as I hesitated for a short moment before replying.
David: "I know this is random but..." I said as my voice faltered. "I just wanted to ask if we could maybe... be friends this year..?" I asked nervously.
Veronica raised an eyebrow while she listened to me speak, before looking away from me as she opened her book and started reading again before replying.
Veronica: "Not interested. And why would I want to be friends with you?"
I then slowly looked down at my feet, my expression shifting to a sad one, as I had a sudden memory, a memory of when I was still in elementary. I used to be a really happy kid, a kid that would always smile, even at the most simple things, and would always talk to anyone and would open up to all my friends... that was until, my friends turned against me, when they found out something about me. Ever since then, they would always bully me about it, and make fun of me about it, they never left me alone about it until I transferred schools for my first year of high school. I remember the laughter behind my back and the way my friends' faces twisted as they pointed at me. Their words chipped away at my smile until one day, it just... faded.
I slowly looked up towards Veronica before replying in a lower tone of voice, a tone with melancholy.
David: "Not to be weird, but seeing you, ever since back in 9th grade, I'd always see myself in you." Veronica then shifted her attention towards me as she raised an eyebrow while still holding her book Infront of her. "I don't know what made you the way you are now, but we all have our reasons, and those reasons caused us to surround ourselves with a wall, to isolate everyone from us, cause of fear. We fear that they might mistreat us, misjudge us, misunderstand us, making it hard, if not, impossible for us to open up to just anyone."
Veronica suddenly spoke.
Veronica: "Your point?" She asked in a flat yet somewhat curious tone, wanting to get straight to the point.
I paused for a while before replying and looking at her intently as I spoke.
David: "In all honesty, of all the people that could be our classmate this year, I think that you'd be the only person I could connect with, relate to, and possibly be my friend... in a way, we're kind of similar. Which is why I think only you could be my friend." I then slowly smiled as I spoke, a genuine smile. "Plus, I don't think you're the type to judge."
Veronica paused as she looked at me, her eyes still ice cold, yet, for a second... something flickered in her eyes, like a shadow lifting before she turned back to her book. It was enough for me to wonder if I'd gotten through.
Veronica: "Do whatever you want." Her tone is still flat. "but this doesn't mean that I already think of you as a friend."
I only got happier as she let me bother her, but I knew that it would take a long time before she could think of me as a friend. Until then, I made sure to myself—that I'd try my best to be a friend to her even if she didn't think the same, and possibly, make her smile one day, as she brought back mine.
Minutes passed, and students started entering the classroom one by one, as there were only a few minutes left until homeroom. As I looked at the clock on top of the whiteboard in front of the class, I noticed that it was already 7:00 AM, and homeroom had already started. The teacher entered, and everyone stood and greeted him as he did, but, I couldn't help but look at Veronica from the corner of my eye, thinking if I should ask her to hang out with me after school. The teacher then spoke with a firm tone as he introduced himself and everyone sat down.
Sir. Adrian: "Good morning everyone, my name is Adrian Guzman, but you can call me Sir. Adrian, and as you all may have guessed by now, I will be your class adviser for this school year." He then looked around the class, observing every single student with a smile before he spoke again. "I can see that there are many familiar faces here, and many new ones too, I'd like to ask all the old students to be nice and set a good example to our new students here."
As our class adviser finished introducing himself, he proceeded to explain all the class rules, upcoming and future events, class schedule, and the usual things you hear on the first day of school. After all that, Sir. Adrian asked everyone to go up front one by one and introduce their selves.
The school only lasted for about a few hours as there weren't any classes yet and it was still only the first day of school, so we were dismissed early, and everyone took their bags and stood from their chairs as Sir. Adrian left the class. When I stood up from my chair and picked up my beg, I quickly walked over to Veronica with a soft smile as I asked her.
David: "Hey, do you wanna hang out, there's an arcade on the mall and it's really fun there."
Veronica: "No thanks, I'd rather go home and save my energy for tomorrow." She said without looking at me as she picked up her bag and walked towards the door.
I then quickly ran after her and walked alongside her as I spoke.
David: "Then why don't we walk home together?"
She looked at me with a confused expression before she looked away and replied.
Veronica: "You're not even sure if we go in the same direction." She said in a slightly irritated tone.
I then quickly replied with a grin.
David: "Actually, I've seen you walk home in the same direction as me, ever since last year. You just never cared enough to notice."
She glared at me before sighing as she replied.
Veronica: "Your stubbornness is irritating, to say the least."
We exited the building and walked the side of the streets. For a while, silence fell between us, I didn't know what else to say, and she wasn't saying anything either. I then saw a street food vendor up ahead and immediately pointed at them as I blurted to Veronica with enthusiasm.
David: "Veronica, look! It's a vendor, and it looks like he's selling chicken balls! They're really good, how about I buy you some?"
I asked with a grin as I waited for her to reply. She then looked at me as we stopped walking, and replied.
Veronica: "You really don't need to do that." She said in a flat tone.
I quickly replied.
David: "Aw come on. At least just 3 pieces, trust me they're really tasty, I bet you've never tried them before" I pleaded.
Veronica: "...Fine" she sighed. "Just three pieces."
I happily smiled as she accepted my offer, before quickly going over to the vendor and buying 3 pieces of chicken balls. I then quickly went back to Veronica with the chicken balls on hand with a toothpick to pick up the chicken balls.
David: "Here you go." I handed over the food to her with a smile filled with anticipation, as I couldn't wait to hear her thoughts about the chicken balls.
Veronica hesitated before taking the food from my hands and spoke in a shy, yet, still flat tone.
Veronica: "Thank you..."
She then picked up a piece with the toothpick and took a bite. As she chewed and swallowed, she looked at me with a satisfied expression as she spoke.
Veronica: "I'll say, it is pretty good." She said in a flat yet satisfied tone.
I smiled as I heard her opinion about the food, I then spoke as I looked at her.
David: "Glad to hear it. Anyway, let's get back to walking, ven." I said in a cheeky tone as we both started walking.
Veronica then quickly looked at me as she spoke in a curious tone.
Veronica: "What did you just call me?"
David: "Ven. Why, don't like it?" I said teasingly.
Veronica then got irritated as she spoke.
Veronica: "Don't call me that..! We just officially met today and you're already giving me a nickname!?"
I laughed at her reaction and response as she looked at me with an irritated expression while we walked.
Today, on July 22nd, 2024. Marks the beginning of a budding relationship. It'll take a while before she can call me her "friend", but I'll surely wait for that day. And most importantly, bring back her smile, as she brought back mine.
—End of Chapter 1—