Will You Be My Friend?

I was in utter shock. I couldn't believe Ayumi was the girl I saw in that building. The opportunity I was hoping for had presented itself. Despite this being the case, I didn't take advantage of this opportunity. Instead of continuing to talk to her, I was inhibited. For some reason, I couldn't get myself to say a single word. Maybe it was because I was concerned about her thoughts of me on that day or the fact I was still trying to grasp the situation but I stood in that hall speechless refraining from looking at her.

Unfortunately, my actions conveyed the wrong message. "He's not even saying anything or looking at me. Well, I guess he doesn't like me." she thought to herself. She closed her eyes then awkwardly smiled at me. "Don't worry, you're not the first person that doesn't want to talk to me. I'm used to it. I just hoped that I could make at least one friend here. Guess I was wrong. We'll see you later." As she walked away tears ran down from her face and the awkward smile on her face faded away while a frown replaced it.

I stood in the middle of the corridor feeling self disappointed. I obsessed over the outcomes that would occur if I talked to the girl. Yet when I was able to talk to her again, I froze. I punched a wall near to me in pure frustration. I needed to be alone so I could think in peace so I didn't return to my best friends. I entered my empty classroom so I could vent discreetly. I sat at my desk, banging my head against it.

"That's something I'd never thought I would see." Samantha stated. I immediately became embarrassed. I had come to the classroom to be alone but yet one of my best friends was there. In an attempt to hide my situation I tried to act normally. "Hi Sam, how are you?" "Fine. I was going to ask you the same question." "Why would that be?" "You were literally banging your head against your desk." I went silent for a bit. I needed some time to think of a proper excuse.

"Well, you see..." Despite my efforts to think of things to say I couldn't. She then stared me down and grabbed a chair. She then placed that chair beside me. "What's going on Ken?" "Nothing." She immediately slapped me. "Don't lie to me, what happened?" She slapped me again. "Ken we've been friends for around an entire year now. Don't you think I would notice when you start acting up?" With a slight smile on her face and a gentle stare, she asked me once again.

At this point, guilt crept in from lying to her. Also, I was tired of getting slapped so I decided to say the truth. "Yesterday when I went on an errand for my mother, I had to take shelter in an abandoned building. There I met a mysterious girl but out of fear I didn't approach her. After I got home that day I thought of what might have happened if I had actually talked to her and wished for another chance. I learned recently Ayumi was this girl and instead of talking to her, I remained silent and now she thinks I don't like her."

Samantha broke down into laughter upon hearing this. I blushed because I was embarrassed. "What's so funny Sam?" "It's just that this is the first time ever I've heard you struggling to talk to someone. I thought you had that down pack but I guess not. Look she seemed like she was reluctant to open up to anyone in class except you. The only reason she opened up to Alex and me was because of you. I truly believe she wants you to be her friend so stop worrying about what else is on your mind and go and be the friend she's looking for."

I had realized how stupid I was to not figure that out by myself. I thanked Sam and with her by my side, I returned to Alex. "Hey bro, where's the new girl?" "Umm…" "She wanted to spend some time by herself for a bit but after school, Ken is going to talk to her." Sam winked at me after keeping my shameful situation a secret. "Ok I guess. Hey dude wanna come over by me tomorrow and play some video games?" "You'll wipe the floor with me but sure." "I'll try to go easy on you dude."

After spending some time with my best friends the bell rang. Lunch was over unfortunately and we had to return to class. I saw Ayumi in the class but she went back to her timid self. She refrained from speaking to or looking at me for the rest of the day. I didn't know that my actions would make her that upset. Three periods had passed and it was time to be dismissed from school. Before she left the room I pulled her aside so we could talk in private.

"What is it, Kennedy?" I took a deep breath and then went on my knees to apologize. "Sorry for how I acted earlier. It's not that I didn't want to talk to you, I just was so surprised that I was unable to do anything at all. I don't normally act this way so I don't know why I did so earlier but I hope you forgive me." I don't think she was expecting to plead for her forgiveness because her eyes showed that she was surprised.

"You don't need to apologize. I should be apologizing. I assumed that you didn't want to speak to me anymore while you just couldn't say anything at all at that moment. So if anything I need to ask for your forgiveness." "You don't have to ask to be forgiven because you did nothing wrong. Also talking to you in class and when we talked with Alex and Sam was fun. So I wanted to ask, will you be my friend? You don't have to say yes but just know that I would appreciate it if you did."