A little boy with snowy hair, big dreamy eyes ranging from stormy ocean blue to soothing lavender, and a spring smile, runs excitedly with his heavy backpack, when called by his teacher:
- Norman, your mom is here for you.
The boy hurries toward the exit, looking for his mother's car among all the others lining up to pick up the children leaving their classes. The teacher takes his hand and leads him there, opens the door of the elegant vehicle and the little boy climbs in, but not before waving his little hand in farewell to his teacher.
- Norman, how did it go? - says his mother, turning her body towards him and offering him some hand sanitizer.
- Very well, Mommy. We did lots of things today and played with the other kids.
- Oh, how exciting that sounds! Now, put your seatbelt on so we can go - The boy immediately listens to his mother, and turns outside once more, hoping to catch one last glimpse of that amber antenna that distracts him in class...
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It has only been a few weeks since classes returned to face-to-face attendance. The contingency generated by a cruel pandemic that shook the world for two years has given a truce. Finally, several restrictions have been lifted and with them, the return to classes was imminent.
There were long two years in which Norman, like all children, had to be kept in the safety of their homes, taking classes online and with no social contact with anyone but their closest family members for their own safety. The pandemic came as a surprise and everyone had to make major changes in their lives. But Norman, being still small and sickly, had to spend those years confined to the mansion where he lived. Fortunately for him, they had all the comforts he could need, however, having no siblings or direct cousins, he spent that time, to a certain extent, isolated.
Despite the great fear his parents had of taking him to school, the security provided by having his full vaccination schedule and the duty to comply with the mandates of the government in office, they decided that his return was inevitable, to which Norman agreed without any problem.
Although returning to the classroom gave him a bit of anxiety and dread, as those feelings were what he perceived from his parents on the subject at hand, stepping foot inside the school he stopped attending two years ago reminded him of that sense of independence and autonomy that he had somewhat lost by always being with his parents.
Obviously, he loved them with all his soul... but, school provides something they cannot. And that is freedom.
Norman arrived in his spotless uniform and his backpack a little heavier than usual. He passed through the inspection area and waited patiently to be directed to his classroom. He made his way to it, politely greeted his teacher before entering and she told him where he should sit.
He was nervous, he couldn't deny it. He was careful to keep his mask in place and constantly put hand sanitizer.
He watched curiously as his other classmates slowly arrived in the classroom and took their places, all except the one next to him. And just as the class was about to begin, a small fire-colored antenna appeared through the door.
- Teacher, may I come in?
- Sure, have a seat... look, there's a place next to Norman.
Norman felt his cheekbones fill with blood and begin to feel hot.
The girl's big green eyes set on him. And although he couldn't see the smile behind that face mask with giraffes, her eyes narrowed revealing that the girl was happy.
The albino looked down... oh, yes.
The boy was shy.
It wasn't the same seeing the redhead on his computer screen smiling at the camera all the time or chatting about her adventures with her little brothers. No. Now the girl was at his side, moving from side to side and with her antenna bouncing back and forth as if it had a life of its own.
How different it is to see his classmates in person!
How different it is to see her sitting next to him, to hear her voice (which definitely doesn't sound the same as it does through the computer), to see the actual shade of her hair and the hue of her eyes!
But Norman remembers to pay attention to the class that has already started, So he focuses on what his teacher says... though he quickly becomes distracted again for other reasons.
Now he remembers the martyrdom of understanding everything the first time and waiting for the teacher to explain it over and over again for his classmates to understand... At least at home he could read or entertain himself by building something, or taking things apart to see how they worked and then putting them back together again. But here he can't do that. He has to sit in his place and wait for the teacher to give the cue to...
- Psst, psst, Norman, did you get this problem?
Tum tum
Tum tum tum
Emma's voice cuts off his train of thought suddenly. His eyes go wide and his heart begins to pound.
He takes a deep breath and turns to her.
- Yes, do you want me to help you?
- Please.
Two shining emeralds fix their attention on everything the albino explains, who strives to get it right so that his classmate will keep up with him. Emma quickly understands the mathematical problem in front of her.
- Oh, I get it! Thanks Norman, you're great!
Norman's cheeks light up again, so he just nods his head quickly and turns his eyes away so as not to be discovered by the little girl.
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Going out to recess, Norman, as instructed by his parents, sat at the back of the large courtyard, in a grassy area with a tree that provides good shade. Most of his classmates were running and laughing nonstop, as if the thought of getting sick didn't scare them... He was still a little nervous about it. He knew that if he caught it, he would have a bad time...
He carefully opened his little bento box and discovered the delicious dishes the cook had prepared for him.
- Wow, that looks super tasty!
The little voice startled Norman, who immediately turned around. The girl with the antenna was standing behind him and soon sat down next to him, not too close, of course.
- Would you like to taste it?
The girl removes her mask and carefully wraps it in a napkin, which she places under her own little bento box. As she turns around, a big, wide smile dazzles Norman, who didn't know how to do anything but stand there: big eyes wide, lips slightly parted and heart excited to be in front of this girl.
- Of course! - and with her chopsticks she selects a few pieces of Norman's food, which she places on her own plate.
- Would you like to try mine? - Norman nods and takes one of the funny figurines made of food.
- That's very little, here, eat well so you grow big and strong - Emma puts more food on his plate and they both laugh.
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- Tell me, Norman, do you have any friends in your classroom yet? - asks the albino's mother as she strokes his soft hair before he goes to sleep.
He is already in his bed and his mother is sitting on the edge of it. The little boy's sleepy eyes and soft smile are illuminated by the dim light of the lamp on the bedside table.
- Yes, Mommy. I have a friend named Ray, although he hardly likes to play with us. He usually sits in the back of the classroom or in the library. Sometimes, we have to take him out of there so he can play with us a little bit... and sometimes, he still doesn't want to.
- "We?" - Norman's gaze wanders a bit and his mother realizes she's hit on something important.
- Ehem... yes. "We..."
- Do you have any other little friends?
- Yeah... Emma... although, well, she's also the girl I like...
Her mom opens her big gray eyes, surprised by the words she just heard.
- "The girl you like?"
- Yes... - Norman, though he answers shyly, in his words there is a strength and assurance that impresses his mother - Mom?
- Yes, Norman?
- You're a woman, what do girls like? I'd like to give her something but I don't know what it might be.
- Mmm... very good question. Most girls like stuffed animals, or candy, or maybe a little flower that reminds you of her...
- Yeah... I had thought about getting her a flower too... but I think that would be until Valentine's Day... although already it happened recently... I'll have to wait until next year...
- Mmm... what about her birthday? You could ask her when her birthday is and give her that surprise. I assure you she'll be very pleased.
- Could be... - says Norman thoughtfully.
- By the way, your birthday is coming up, we could do something outdoors and invite some of your little classmates... you could invite her and the library boy too.
- Could it be at a zoo? Do they have giraffes?
- Giraffes?
- Yes, Emma likes giraffes - the little boy smiles at the memory of her friend... and his mother finally understands how important the girl is to him.
- Of course, my darling. Whatever you want - the mother bends down to kiss him on the forehead and say goodnight - rest, and I hope you have sweet dreams.
- Thank you, Mommy. I love you.
- And I love you more.
- No, I love you more - they share one last hug and she turns off the lamp, allowing Norman to quickly fall asleep... and images of giraffes, sunflowers and a fire-colored antenna flood his mind...
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The days go by and the friendship between the little ones grows stronger. The library boy, Ray, has finally decided to leave it at the constant pleas of his friends, but not before carrying some of the books wherever they go. Regularly, he waits for them under the tree at the back of the courtyard, while Norman and Emma run around with the other kids in their classroom, happily sharing games common to children their age.
However, eight days before Norman's long-awaited party, something happens that changes everything.
- Guys, I need you to put all your books in your backpacks and get ready to go home - the teacher, with a face full of concern, enters the classroom and gives directions to her students.
One of the little ones raises his hand and asks:
- But why, teacher? It's not recess yet, and besides, we have robotics class later.
- I'm very sorry, children... One of your classmates has tested positive for the disease, and as the protocols state, the whole group must go home - everyone's faces change and concern fills the atmosphere - please, don't be scared, guys. Everything will be fine, you are already vaccinated and these measures are only as...
Norman no longer hears the following. His heart is pounding as fear takes over... his breathing starts to become labored, to the extent that you can see his mask goes up and down quickly. His hands start to sweat and he just wants to get out of there... he begins to lack air and...
- Norman? - a sweet voice is heard in the distance...
- Norman? Are you all right? - the redhead's hand rests on his back, making the albino turn to look at her - relax, everything will be fine. This is just a precaution, don't be afraid.
The albino listens to her and tries to control his breathing.
He doesn't want to worry her...
He doesn't want the last image she has of him to be of a scared boy. He wants her to remember him smiling. So, using all his strength, he takes a deep breath until he returns to normal.
- Thank you, Emma, I'm better now. I'm sure we'll be back to class soon - Norman smiles broadly, and even though he's wearing his mask, he knows she understands his gesture.
- Yes! - says the girl in high spirits as she puts the rest of her things in her backpack.
But although Norman smiles and says goodbye cheerfully as always, inside he is trembling with fear...
And the fact is that the little boy has been in the hospital more than once. He has been a sickly boy since birth. Despite being cared for by the best doctors, his health is not like that of other children...
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It was practically unavoidable.
Fever, chills, muscle weakness, drowsiness and generalized pain are all present in Norman's little body.
His mother and the family's personal nurse are constantly in and out of his room, wearing masks and proper protective gear so as not to catch the highly communicable disease.
But Norman hardly realizes. He only sleeps and wakes up at times, which is when they take the opportunity to feed him and administer medicine to keep his fever down.
- How are you feeling, sweetie?
- My head hurts a lot, Mommy.
- I'm sorry, dear. With this medicine you will feel better soon.
- Thank you, Mommy. I love you very much.
- And I love you more... - but the usual response she always gets from Norman doesn't come.
He has fallen back into a deep lethargy, so his mother gets up sadly and leaves the room crestfallen.
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- Mamaaaaaaaaaaaa! Waaaaaaaaaaaaaahhh! - uncontrolled sobs flood the room decorated with pink colors and little giraffe and bunny stuffed animals everywhere. Her mother, frightened, runs over and sees her lying on her bed, hugging her pillow tightly.
- What's the matter, honey? Why are you crying like that?
- It's just that I talked to Ray and-and he told me that Norman is very sick and-and... - the spasms from crying don't let her speak well - and that means he's feeling very bad and-and he's going to spend his birthday alone and I don't want that... nobody should spend their birthday alone, Mommy. I want to be with him...
- Oh, Emma, but he's just sick. Let him recover and then you can celebrate it another day...
- Nooo, mommy, you don't understand... I don't want him to be alone, waaaaaahhhh! - The redhead hugs her mother tightly, who tries to console her, but nothing seems to convince her.
- You need to understand that if you go to visit him, you could also get sick...
- I don't care, mommy, I want to be with him, not only that day, but always... I don't want him to be alone anymore, nor to be afraid...
- All right, I'll see what I can do, okay? I'll talk to his mommy, but I can't assure you anything.
The little girl's emerald eyes light up as she listens to her mother. She runs her forearm covered by the fabric of her pajamas over her nose, wiping away the runny noses that had escaped after crying so much.
Her mother shakes her head as she smiles. She knows that Emma can be very stubborn about certain things, but there is no doubt that the little girl has a big heart.
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- Good afternoon, girls, who's Norman's mommy?
- This is Norman's mommy, how can I help you?
- Hi, I'm Emma's mom, I'll send you a private message because I want to talk to you about something, okay?
- Of course!
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- I'm sorry to bother you, but Emma found out that Norman is very sick, and she is very sad about it. She wants to visit him so he won't be alone, but above all, she tells me that his birthday is very close and she won't be able to celebrate it because of that. I understand that it is a delicate matter because of all that it implies, so whatever you tell me will be fine. I don't want to bother you or put you in a difficult situation, but I promised her I would at least ask.
- Oh... it's okay, don't worry. I understand that Norman and Emma are very close, and Norman will undoubtedly be very happy to see her, especially on this special day. However, for the moment, and without wanting to worry her, Norman spends most of the day asleep, between the weakness that the disease itself causes him and the drugs he has been given, but according to the doctor's estimates, that should change as the days go by. Perhaps by the day of his birthday he will be in better health and will be able to welcome Emma here in the house. We have a large garden where they can have a snack if you like, in the open air so that Emma does not get infected.
- Thank you, you are very kind. Thank you for your reply and I hope Norman recovers soon. We maintain in touch, so this way I can keep Emma informed of his progress, who will no doubt be looking forward to the day when she can see him again.
- I am very glad to hear that...
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- Norman, why don't we take a walk? It's a beautiful day and it will really help to stretch your legs.
- Sure, Mommy. Let me put my shoes on - the little boy straightens up and begins to tie his laces, however, the weakness that has remained as a result of having gone through the illness, is noticeable.
- Let me help you...
- I'm a big boy now, Mom, I can do it myself - says the pale-skinned boy to his mother, while pouting.
- I know, Norman, but you've been sick. I imagine you must still be feeling a little weak.
The albino doesn't answer, but looks down, refraining from contradicting his mother again.
The two of them walk hand in hand towards the garden, where, although the wind is a little cool, there is already a slight warmth that heralds the onset of spring.
The tops of the trees are swaying in the wind, some plants are already in bloom and adorn the place with their beautiful colors.
In the background, the large fountain is surrounded by many birds chirping and flying back and forth. Norman sits down on one of the benches and his mother signals to him that she will come back in a moment, but not before leaving a small box with a mask, hand sanitizer, some tissues and some sweets. The boy doesn't quite understand why, but decides not to give it any importance.
The boy takes a deep breath... Undoubtedly, these were very difficult days for him. The illness weakened him a lot, but...
A big smile adorns his face.
"I beat the disease... I'm alive."
He leans his head on the back of the bench, with a victorious face full of pride... He closes his eyes, rests and enjoys the freshness of the atmosphere. His senses are amplified and register everything that happens around him: the sound of the splashing water of the fountain, the wind moving his snowy hair at will and brushing his warm skin, the sweet scent of some of the flowers reaches his nose... When suddenly, he hears a twig rustling to his left.
He opens his eyes and raises his bushy eyebrows as he watches an orange blast hide behind the bench.
Norman straightens up and suddenly, a fire-colored antenna gives away its owner:
- Happy birthday, Norman!
- E-Emma... you're here... - blue eyes fill with tears of emotion, seeing the cheerful little girl.
- Yessssss! I didn't want you to be alone, not anymore. I came to keep you company so you could have a happy birthday
- But, Emma, you can catch it - says Norman as he quickly understands why his mother left that little box there - Don't get so close, I don't want you to get sick too - the boy covers his mouth with his forearm and stretches out the other one to quickly reach the protective items.
- Don't worry, Norman. It's all right. I'll stay on this side of the bench and you stay on that side, okay? Although you must understand that I'm not afraid of getting sick if it's Norman who infects me.
- But what are you saying?
- Hahahaha. .. Yes, if I get sick that will mean I can join you without that fear.
- Emma! You shouldn't joke about it...
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The children talked, smiled, and ate the cake that his mother had prepared for them.
They shared tender moments on that cool afternoon that marked the beginning of spring.
Emma gradually closed the distance with Norman and soon they were shoulder to shoulder.
- Norman, can I always be with you?
- Of course, Emma, it's a promise - and they joined their pinky fingers together, thus closing an oath that would last for the rest of their days...
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