Sarah was my best friend before I shattered her heart. Her bright smile, once contagious, now seemed lost forever. She used to be sweet and kind, always laughing, but now, I have made her heart cold and bitter. The memory of her fainting, overcome by the pain I caused, still haunts me. What kind of friend does that, I wonder?
Sarah was the first person to approach me when I arrived at university, a surprise given my awkward demeanor. Growing up, I was a loner, never knowing the warmth of friendship. My mom was my only solace. The cruel taunts of my classmates still echoed in my mind - 'poor boy,' 'hand-me-downs' - the labels stung.
I recalled my first day at university, the cold wind biting through my thin jacket. I wore the same baggy, faded jeans and oversized shirt I'd worn for years. As I walked across the quad, the freshly cut grass released its sweet aroma, but the students' snickers and stares cut through the tranquility. Their mocking gazes felt like a punch to the gut. I dropped my eyes, the familiar sting of shame burning within.
Memories of my past threatened to resurface, but I pushed them back, fleeing to a secluded spot where I could surrender to my tears unnoticed."
Truthfully, despite being numb to the mocking and name-calling, the pain still seeped in. I slumped onto a sleek, silver bench, surrounded by vibrant green grass and the melodic chirping of birds. The serene atmosphere, with its gentle breeze and warm sunlight, was a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing inside me.
Yet, I couldn't hold back my tears. I sobbed uncontrollably, unaware of a figure watching me from a nearby bench, hidden behind a tapestry of red and yellow blooming flowers.
That's where she was - Sarah. Her expression was etched with concern as she rose from her seat and approached me. But was her worry for me, or something else entirely? I couldn't tell.
As I cried my heart out, the sound of footsteps echoed through the quiet atmosphere, growing louder with each step. I lifted my head, hastily wiping away tears with the back of my hand. That's when I saw her - a stunning girl with flawless black and light skin, walking towards me with an air of confidence.
Her bright red skirt swirled around her curvy hips, the fabric rustling softly with each step. Her beautiful blouse showcased her toned chest, and the delicate silver necklace glinting around her neck hinted at a life far removed from my own struggles. The subtle scent of her perfume wafted through the air, teasing my senses. By the way she carried herself, it was clear she wasn't from my world - she didn't have the worn, weary look of someone who'd grown up poor.
"Hi, do you mind me sitting next to you?" she asked, her voice gentle and melodious. I was taken aback, and all I could manage was a silent nod. She sat down beside me, her presence radiating warmth and comfort.
"I was trying to make a call to my mom, and then I heard someone sobbing," she explained, her brow furrowed with concern. "That's why I came. My name is Sarah, by the way. I'm a freshman too." She smiled, her eyes sparkling with kindness. "I guess you are a freshman?"
I wiped away my tears, and then extended my hand, shaking hers firmly. "Cedric's my name," I said, my voice cracking with emotion. "Nice to meet you, the caring one." A faint smile crossed my lips as I spoke.
"You know, you're the first person to talk to me today," I continued, my words laced with gratitude. "Thanks, this means a lot to me." My voice trembled, and I felt a lump form in my throat as I met her compassionate gaze.
"I usually don't mind other people's business," Sarah said, her eyes locked on mine with genuine concern, "but with you, I don't know, I feel like I need to ask. Why are you here alone, sobbing into tears? What could possibly be the reason for doing that on your first day at campus?"
I took a deep breath, the weight of my emotions pressing down on me. "I don't think I need to explain it to you," I said, my voice barely above a whisper, filled with sadness. "Just look at how I'm dressed. Everyone was making fun of me, and it...it brought back painful memories." I paused, feeling the sting of tears pricking at the corners of my eyes. "Memories I thought I'd left behind."
"Ah, come on," Sarah said, her voice filled with conviction, "clothes don't define who you are. It's what's inside that matters. Today, you might look like this, but tomorrow, who knows? You might be the richest man on earth." Her words were like a balm to my soul, soothing my frayed emotions.
As I listened to her kind words, my heart skipped a beat. A shiver ran down my spine, leaving a trail of goosebumps in its wake. It was as if her words had awakened a part of me that had long been dormant. I felt a lump form in my throat as I realized that this was the first time I had ever experienced kindness from someone outside my family.
She swiftly stood up, her eyes sparkling with kindness, and stretched out her hand towards me. "Cedric, let's go," she said, her voice gentle but encouraging. "It's not good for you to be out here crying. Plus, I think we've both had enough of this quad for today." She smiled warmly.
"Can I be your friend?" she asked, her voice tinged with a hint of vulnerability. "I know it sounds weird, but I've been having a hard time making friends here, and there's something about you...I don't know, I just feel like we could connect."
Our eyes locked, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still. Then, I smiled, feeling a sense of gratitude and connection, and reached out to take her hand. Her smile mirrored mine, and together, we walked towards the lecture hall, the warm sun on our faces and the sound of chatter and laughter from the other freshmen filling the air.
As we approached the door, two guys emerging from the lecture hall sneered, "Well, well, well! Look who's here! Our poor guy, rocking those baggy, balloom jeans, somehow managed to score a girl on his first day!" Their mocking laughter cut through the air.
I felt my face heat up with embarrassment, but before I could react, Sarah's grip on my hand tightened. She flashed the guys a cold stare, her eyes blazing with a fierce inner light. "You know, some people are worth more than their clothes," she said, her voice low and even.
As the guys snickered and walked away, I turned to Sarah, my heart racing with surprise and gratitude. But before I could thank her, she leaned in close, her voice barely above a whisper: "Cedric, I have a secret. And I'm not sure if I should share it with you..."