Indelible

 

It was my first day at Bayview High. The whole middle school period felt like forever to me, and honestly, I had been looking forward to high school...it felt like a whole different league. Bayview High was a totally different place. It was humongous, and I knew it'd take me long to memorize a mental-map of the place.

While going through these thoughts, I heard a quaint voice say from behind me,

"Hey, you new here? I'm Josh, nice to meet you!"

I turned back to acknowledge this, and was greeted by an average heighted kid, about 5 foot-two. He had blondish hair, and had grey eyes. He smiled and nodded, indicating me to introduce myself.

"Um, hey. I'm David...Do you mind showing me where exactly my class is?"

"Sure! Follow me!!", he said. I noticed a little too much joy in his voice, but I ignored it and followed him into the premises.

Just two turns here and there, and I was already confused. There were at least ten different corridors, and five storeys in total. I wondered how many times I'd be late for class, but the kid guiding me interrupted my thoughts.

"So, you're in Class F! That's my class too!! We'll be bench partners!!"

"Hmmm....okay...where is class though?"

He pointed straight ahead, to the class with "F" written on its door. 

I followed him into the room, and didn't really choose a seat....almost all were taken, except for the last ones in the rightmost corner. I rolled my eyes and sighed; I was going to have to sit with this loud kid. I mean, he sure was friendly, but seemed to me as the kind of person who'd be too clingy. 

A few jock-type kids eyed at me, and I immediately knew I didn't want to be near them...that is, if I had a choice. My seat was right next to one of them.

I gulped and kept my head low. I walked past them and settled in. Josh walked up and sat down, without saying a word. I liked his confidence, but didn't really want to be stuck with him. It was too late though.

"Hey, ignore those kids back there. They're jerks....rich jerks." he said to me. "Bullies, if you will."

"Um, yeah....I will."

The rest of the day was a breeze. I spent time talking with this weirdo and writing notes on the chapters covered in major subjects, but guess what, the guy wasn't that bad. In fact, he was the only one who talked to me, or even looked at me in a friendly manner. I did keep away from the other kids, as I didn't want to embarrass myself on the first day of high school. 

After about four hours, class was dismissed, and I walked out of the reception with Josh, chatting away about some subject I don't really remember now. 

There was a bigger thing to remember about that day...something more indelible, and something that haunts me even to this day.

As I turned after having waved good-bye to Josh, I heard one of the rich girls snort and say what still keeps me up at night,

"That's one weird kid...I mean, who talks with imaginary friends in high-school."

As I glanced back rapidly to look back at him, his smile didn't look so friendly anymore....