1 First Friend

When I first came to this school, I was expecting harsher demands from teachers for homework, good physical fitness, and being absolutely responsible or else there would be consequences. It was not like that at all, there was much more freedom but at the same time, the subjects are really confusing so I would have to focus instead of using my phone.

In year 1, I sat quietly in my assigned seat not making an effort to talk to anyone around me unless they make the first move. My first friend that I made was with the girl that sat beside me, we started talking at first because of the teacher's instructions on pair work. We sat together during recess, always paired for class works, always together, but it only lasted a week. I joined different groups of classmates who invited me to sit with them, this went on for a quarter of the year until I finally met actual friends.

She started the conversation saying "Rinee right? My mum saw your mother at the CCA selection day and she told me that they were best friends, but lost contact already"

"Huh? Who is your mum?"

"Jane, your mum's name is... Tina right?"

"Ya, wait, how did they meet?"

"Secondary school, they were really close"

"Oh ok, I'll ask my mum when I go home"

We waved at each other goodbye and went for recess separately. I did not bother about what she said, I get it, our mothers were close friends last time, that has nothing to do with us. My recess was spent with a different group of girls again, they were the type to gossip, take Instagram pictures constantly, of course, I didn't fit in. After a week, I was paired with the girl who told me about our mothers' relationship. Within last week, I only talked to her when I needed to borrow stationery, but now she was my pair partner.

"Another pair work?" she spoke, her facial expression obviously saying that she was annoyed.

"Yea. What are we supposed to do again?"

"Uhhh... I'm not sure...hehe..." she giggled.

"By the way, what's your name? I'm Rinee"

"Lila"

At that moment, I realized she wasn't that bad of a person. I could never be this thankful for that class pair activity. For the next few months, we were always together, be it recess, lunch, in the morning before school starts, or after school. She was my reason for coming to school every day. Coincidentally, she moved houses from Ubi to Punggol where I was. Every morning, we would meet at the bus interchange and go to school together. I got so used to it that one day I was marked as late for school because I waited for her, but I didn't mind. It was a bad habit so I tried going to school earlier instead so that I won't be scared of alighting the bus.

I forgot to explain, I gained a habit of going to school with her because I was scared to be the center of attention on the bus when it comes to alighting. The second level of the bus is always deadly silent in the mornings, just dropping something would make everyone's heads turn to your direction. I hate it when people look at me, especially when I'm the center of attention. Introvert, that's what I am, an introvert. An introvert being the center of attention is the worst thing that could happen.

In class, I was called up to read aloud. When I heard my name being called, I actually froze and my lips started to quiver, it was obvious that I was scared. It was already the 6th month of school and I still couldn't get used to my classmates. I'm only comfortable with a group of people that I've talked to a couple of times or the ones that I know who are not judgemental. My hands started to shake, standing in front of the class made me want to just walk out, but I had to pull through. I looked at Lila, she was smiling and I couldn't help but smile back and she started laughing, I did the same.

"Faster lah!"

"No time already"

"Oh my god just read"

My classmates were shouting at me. I was a little scared in the inside but Lila made that feeling disappear.

"Haha, ok ok, wait" I eased my laughter and started to read.

I was finally able to break the ice with my classmates, it made me more comfortable to talk to the ones that I've not spoken to in my class before.