Prologue
I hate school. It's not the teachers, the work, the staff or the food they serve. It's everyone that casts me out. It's not like I get enough of that at home where my mother only lives to entertain my sisters and completely exclude me from her life.
The bus is bumpier than normal today; there is also some construction on the intersection of Justice and Turbulence Street. Maybe because the roads here suck and are always cracking into pieces whenever you put the slightest bit of weight onto them.
I arrive at my school, it looks the same as it did yesterday, but then why am I always expecting the days to go any differently? Maybe it's my hope telling me to not give up on people, not that I have any hope left in this cruel world.
First and second period go by like a breeze. I am always the smartest in my class. Every year it's the same thing, a brainy-ack surrounded by dumb asses. Third though, seems different. I catch one of the "popular-guys" making glimpses at me. And it's annoying. He seems interested. But in what?
Once the final bell rings I quickly gather my supplies and head to the bus to avoid any friction with that one very interested student. However, before I reach the bus, he taps my shoulder.
"Hey, can I talk to you for a second?"
I turn and stare him dead in the face, "why have you been looking at me?"
"That's what I wanted to talk about." He hands me a folded piece of paper. "Here's my number, can you please text me tonight? Thanks." Then he quickly breaks conversation without another word.
That was strange, that's never happened to me before. I feel different, important? No. More like surprised. It's been a long time since anyone has spoken to me. I climb on the "already-ready to leave" bus and contemplate on what that was all even about.
Home feels no different however, because I know that nothing will change. Mother too busy with either work or my sisters like I already said before. So many unnecessary minutes spent on those spoiled children who love her no more because of her given attention.
My father has made no appearance in my life except when I was just a baby. My sisters have a different father that could care less about their existence, much like mine doesn't.
I spent the rest of the day behind locked doors, debating on sending one important text message to an unknown person. Finally, at 10:00 PM, I decided that I would follow through with his request. I messaged him: "Hey, you wanted to talk earlier?"
A few minutes later he responded: "Yeah, I was wondering if you wanted to be friends?"
Startled, I read the message up a dozen times, not knowing how to respond to such a forward reply. I picked the words out carefully and asked: "Why would you want to be my friend?"
Minutes passed and no response. I smiled silently; I didn't even know why I was smiling. Maybe I liked solitude. Maybe I was the freak with no friends because he'd rather be alone then with someone constantly at his side. Maybe I preferred to be an independent soul then with someone who would help me at my worst times and pick me back up again, expecting the same treatment if they were in my situation.
I went ahead and went on my computer to entertain myself with pointless videos of people who probably haven't seen the outside in three weeks play video games. The vibration of my IPhone made me jump and kick the wall. I quickly looked at my phone to read a message: "Why wouldn't I want to be your friend?"
Oh my god… Who is this guy? What are his intentions? What does he want? And why does he suddenly want to become friends? Doesn't he know who I am? I'm the guy that everyone's status would drop to zero if they were even caught talking to me. I'm the guy that you see in the library reading those five-hundred page books for hours at a time, not leaving my spot only if I have to.
I have never handled this situation before. This is so awkward, I don't like this and I'm not enjoying it. Not. One. Bit. He seems so sure of himself. Just counting on that I'll probably accept his offer. Why would I anyway? What would I gain in becoming this guy's friend? But more importantly, what would he?
I slowly type out my next response: "Who are you? And what do you want and why? Answer with specific reasons." I become satisfied and set my phone down, almost positive that he'll just give up on his pointless goal he seems to have. However, I was wrong. He responded in less than five minutes.
"I think you know who I am, but I'll say it anyway. I'm Light Yagami, son of Soichiro Yagami and Sachiko Yagami. And I want to be your friend because I find you very interesting. There? Is that reason enough?"
I felt so touched reading that message over and over again like a short video clip constantly being looped. No one has ever called me interesting. No one has ever even really smiled at me, let alone wanted to be my friend. I'm finally getting the attention I dreamed… no, prayed for. And I'm pushing him away because I'm not used to this? Well, I need to stand up and put myself out there. So I responded to him: "Okay, we can be friends."
"Great! I bet we are gunna be good friends!"
Did I make the right choice? What if he's just using me for my brain? Or just to have a good laugh with his friends? I don't know, I'll just have to wait and see.
