A Bashful Guy

Ivan's POV:

I'm in Grade 10 this year. It's inevitable to have a new classroom, new classmates, and new teachers every school year. Well, it doesn't really matter to me because I am a shy and timid person. I'm sure that my only acquaintance this year will only be just headphones just like last year and the years before that. What can I do? I really love music. I feel solitude and peace with music by my side. I don't need any fake friends that doesn't understand me and just judge me thoughtlessly whenever I make some small mistakes.

I am sitting at the back corner of the classroom waiting for the teacher when my classmates suddenly screamed enthusiastically. I got curious as to what they saw to make such a fuss that's why I looked at the windows wherein I saw the view of the students crowding together.

"Wow! We're so lucky! We will have the three Goddesses of our school as our classmates this year. I'm looking forward to be friends with them."

"They're really astounding! Aside from being beautiful, they're also smart. They are the real representation of a 'Perfect Being'."

I saw three girls walking along the hallway that radiates some radiance. I saw one of the girls waving her hands vigorously and greets every student in the hallway.

"Good morning everyone!" She greeted.

"She looks kind and friendly." I whispered to myself. I looked at the other two girls afterwards and started to observe them. I noticed immediately that the two girls are different from the energetic girl whose emanating an amiable aura. They look like they're trying to avoid getting too attached on other people. But what caught my attention more is the girl that has a bad expression on her face.

"I don't think I will get along with her well. Well, it's not like I'm planning to anyway." I whispered once again.

The girl that I'm talking about looked at me when she entered the classroom. She walked towards me and sat beside me. I see... So she is my seatmate 'Elaine'. It's a bad start for my first day since based on what I saw earlier, she and her friends are famous. I don't want to get caught up with their popularity issues. I better get away from her.

Few minutes have passed and our teacher entered our classroom. This school is one of the most famous prestigious academy in the city so it's only normal for us to be given our very own books every year.

"Good morning class! I'm your Science teacher, Ms. Flores. I don't really like self-introductions because it wastes so much time so we'll just get onto our first lesson. You can do some self-introductions during break time or whenever you want. Well, self-introductions are useless anyway since it's likely to familiarize yourselves to each other as you'll be together this whole school year. The people in front should get some books for the distribution. Get only one book for yourselves and pass the other books backwards." Our stern teacher said.

When the books were passed to the last row, I was taken aback when there was no book given to me. Therefore, I raised my hand and said...

"Excuse me, ma'am, but I didn't get a book."

"Oh no! I think the supply office was mistaken in counting the number of books to be printed. Don't worry, I'll inform them immediately to print another book for you. For the meantime, you can share with your seatmate, ok?"

"Understood ma'am."

I turned my head on my right where I saw my male seatmate looking at me with contemptuousness. I already perceived that he doesn't want to share his book to me that's why I turned my head on my left side and there I saw Elaine. I was surprised when I saw her smiling at me and kindly said...

"You can share with me if you want."

I didn't expect that she will offer to share her book with me since when I saw her in the hallway before, she is wearing a poker face and it looks like she doesn't want to have anything to do with other people. I have no book to use for today's lesson that's why I don't need to have an egocentric attitude when she is the one happily offering me some help.

"Thanks! I'm Ivan Shaun Spencer. Nice to meet you!"

"My name is Elaine Lancashire. I've never saw you in this school before. You must be a new student."

"Yes, I am. Please take care of me this school year."

"Of course!"

We shook hands afterwards to show respect for each other. I thought that maybe she is really kind and just doesn't know how to interact with others. She's just like me... We don't have courage to get close to other people since we have our own perspective about friends and are possibly afraid to get hurt someday.

After some time, the bell rang that indicates it's already recess. I was accustomed to staying inside the classroom during break time and just listens to music on my headphones.

I am on my own world when someone suddenly poked me. I turned around to see who it is and I saw Elaine standing beside me.

"Aren't you going to eat? Do you want to go the canteen with me and my friends?" She asked me sincerely.

"Ahh. Nope. I'm fine. I'm not hungry and I dont really like crowded places so I'll pass" I answered bluntly.

"Ahh. I see. Well then-" her words were cut by her friend running towards us.

"You're name is Ivan, right? I saw your name tag in your assigned seat earlier. I see that you were able to have a proper conversation with Elaine calmly. What's more, to have Elaine initiate the conversation between you two? You're an amazing dude, aren't you? You see, almost all of the boys that Elaine talked to before are always getting nervous around her that results on them stuttering. That's the reason why Elaine chose to avoid talking to other people since they are always treating her like a real Goddess and she really doesn't want that."

"Ah I see..." I answered awkwardly since I was wondering what her name is.

So that's the reason why she has that distant vibe around her. That explains it all.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I still didn't properly introduced myself, did I? My name is Sophia Bailey. And this girl behind me is Janna Atkinson. We're both Elaine's childhood friends."

I honestly didn't noticed Janna before because she was hiding behind Sophia but now that Sophia said that, there really is a girl peeking behind her.

"Please continue to look after Elaine since you're seatmates!" Sophia added and bowed to me to show sincerity in her request.

"Don't you want to eat with us?" Janna peeked from Sophia's back and asked me.

"Ummmm..." I said thinking whether I should go or not.

"Well, that's that. So do you want to eat with us? It's gonna be fun!" Elaine asked once again. I just nodded and came along with them.

When we arrived at the canteen, Sophia suddenly talked...

"Elaine and Janna, just wait for me on the sofa with Ivan since I don't think any of you wants to go to crowded places. You can relax and I'll be the one to buy the foods for you guys. So what will I get for you?"

"One slice of a caramel cake will suffice." Janna said.

"I want three brownies, please." Elaine requested.

Sophia looked at me wondering what food she'll get for me.

"Anything will do, thank you!"

"Ok! I'll treat you guys today since we have a new friend with us. Just wait for me and I'll be quick." Sophia walked away and the three of us headed towards the vacant sofa at the very end.

The atmosphere was very quiet since none of us really like talking. It's a good thing that Sophia didn't take her time buying the snacks and returned to us after just a short while.

Sophia carefully handed the snacks over to Elaine and Janna and when she looked at me, she handed me a chocolate cake.

"Tada! I bought you a chocolate cake since that is the favorite snack of mostly all of my male friends. I guessed that you might also love it." She said enthusiastically.

"T-t-thank you." I said faintly because I'm too embarassed to accept something for free.

"No big deal! Enjoy your food!"

All of us ate together and waited for the school bell's ringing.