"My best friend"

Another day at school.

Another awful day, to be looked at funnily, to be laughed at, to watch the children whisper about you. Why did they do that? Because you were different? Because you were someone who had different views, and ideas?

Mandy, a seven year old girl, sat on the swings alone. It had been like this during school for the past few years. It wasn't the loneliness she minded – it was fine that the other kids didn't want to talk to her, it was find to feel like she was invisible. She didn't mind, it just meant that she could have more time to her own thoughts.

Only recently had it become a problem, because she was no longer invisible. No, it was almost the exact opposite. She was now a target, a big, bright target, and everyone could see.

She kept her mouth shut, sure, what child would want to tell their parents they were being bullied? She felt like she had done something wrong, something that made the other kids dislike her, and wouldn't want her parents to know she was such a failure.

So it was times like these, when she got to be alone in peace and quiet, that she appreciated the most. There were two swings on this set, but the other one sat unmoved, untouched, while the children laughed in the distance. Happiness, friendship, fun – all things she didn't possess, and why?

Suddenly she felt her being pulled from her thoughts as pressure on her back made her fall from the swing. When she hit the ground, she heard the laughter and instantly knew; they had some back for more fun.

Three kids stood around her, laughing as they began to get a crowd to form around. They all came to laugh and gawk at the helpless strange girl in the middle.

"Look at her. What a freak!"

"She always wants to be alone. What's the matter with her?"

"No wonder she has no friends."

She could feel tears fill her eyes, threatening to spill over as the words came from all the children. More and more came, all laughing, all making fun, and it made her feel not only alone – but hated, even, by everyone. Right when the tears were about to spill over, another voice called louder than the rest.

"What're you all doing? Stop!"

She looked up quickly, searching for the person who had spoken. A young boy with blue eyes… he seemed familiar, though she couldn't put her finger on what his name was. Nonetheless, she knew he wasn't exactly one for being loud or standing up to crowds.

The kids knew this too, which is why they all became silent when he spoke, surprised. He ran over and stood in front of the girl, looking at them all with a concerned expression.

"Why are you all making fun?"

He questioned, facing all the kids. There was a moment of hesitation before one spoke.

"Because she's a freak." He sneered, looking back at the boy with an equal expression.

The blue eyes defender furrowed his brows together tightly.

"Why, because she's different? What's so funny about that?" He shot back.

The boy looked like he wanted to answer, but couldn't think of why it was really all that funny. With a frown and a look of disgust, the boy began to walk away, the crowd following.

"You're no fun…" he murmured as he walked away.

Once they had gone, the boy who had helped the girl quickly turned to her, taking her hand to help her up.

"Are you okay?" He questioned quickly, blinking at her. She frowned, looking at him sadly.

'What'd you do that for? Now they'll make fun of you too…" She murmured quietly.

The boy laughed a bit, surprised she was more worried about himself rather than her own wellbeing,

"That's okay. They weren't exactly nice people anyways."

There was a pause of silence, before Mandy looked back up at him.

"Well thank you… I'm Mandy. What's your name?" She questioned him, this time offering a small smile.

He smiled back, his blue eyes brightening up a bit.

"My name is John. John Watson."

Mandy looked at him with admiration, seemingly pleased to be having a conversation with a person.

"Well, John Watson, I don't really know how these things work, because no one likes me… but you're really nice, and I think we should be friends. So, want to be my friend?" She asked a childish innocence about her.

John grinned, nodding at her.

"I think that sounds really nice. I'll be your friend." He accepted her offer.

She smiled with pure excitement as she jumped up, any sadness had faded away now.

"Oh really? I'm so happy you've said that! We're going to be the best of friends!"

Taking his hand, she pulled him along to go and play a game of some sort, chattering about some things. She paused after a moment though, looking at him with a happy smile.

"Oh, and John?"

"…Yeah?"

"I really like your name.'