During those times, Nick noticed something. People seemed to avoid or not to talk to him. Aren’t they supposed to speak to him at the least? He was supposed to be welcomed, right? But why are people acting like this? It’s as if he was a leper – a leper so vile that not only did he need to be isolated, but also that he mustn’t be talked to. Rage burned inside him as a lump welled inside his throat. Are people really going to be like this forever? Is this how they treat a newcomer? Fine, he thought indignantly. Nick felt as though he was being split into two. So much was his longing not to be transferred to this kind of campus, and look what it got him? Now he will be stuck here for the next three school years.

Moments passed by and it was already twelve noon. Nick was already lined up in a single streak of students waiting for lunch to be served. He was already in the front when receiving his food. Totally engrossed upon his thoughts, he tripped his fingers upon the edge of the plate making it drop. The sound it created was nothing but unpleasant to the ears of those who heard it as it rang through the hallway. It chimed along the corridors horribly. As quick as a glance of an eye, he merely went out of the cafeteria, hiding his face of the shame it brought this day. He immediately went to his classroom and got his bag. Not sure where to go, he ran upstairs, three steps at a time. Now, he was standing on the rooftop of the school. There he sat for the rest of the afternoon, staring around the nearby houses and all.

Hours slipped by and then the girl named Anne arrived. The girl was fully drenched in sweat that made her look like an athlete. Obviously, she had been looking for her all along.

“I’ve been looking for you.”

“Go away.”

“Listen to me, will you?” At that there was an awkward silence.

“They, our classmates have been very akin to be friends with you but-”

“But what? I’m not well-suited? Yeah I know that.”

“No.”

“Oh you don’t need to hide it, you know.”

“It’s not that way-”

“But it is the way I see it.”

“THEN YOUR WRONG!” A tear trickled across her cheeks. And at that very moment, Nick felt his heart skipped a beat, it was as if he was being torn into pieces by what he has done.

“They wanted to be your friend but they’re afraid of you. They get intimidated by when they try to approach you, that’s why they are having a hard time on you.”

There was a long silence.

“Learn how to smile sometime, Nick.” The girl sighed.

Nick smiled a forced one. The girl laughed and went closer to him. Grinning enthusiastically, she held his cheeks with her two hands and stretched them wide apart.

“So were friends now.” He asked. The girl didn’t answer.

The sun was already setting. The cool wind sailed eastward, swiftly moving around unnoticed.