It was lunch break, so everyone split off into their own groups. I sat alone on the swings. Last week, I had seen a group of kids doing cool tricks on them, so I wanted to try it out too.
The problem was, I couldn't even get myself moving. I glanced around and noticed that other kids always had their friends to give them a push to get started, laughter filling the space around them. The space around me, however, was completely silent.
I let out a disappointed sigh.
I guess I can't do it after all…
As I was about to jump off, I was suddenly propelled forward. The wind roared in my ears. For a split second, my body lifted slightly off the seat. I instantly tightened my grip on the chains.
This… is not how I thought it would be!
I screamed in sheer horror, flailing my legs as I desperately tried to reach the ground.
That was when an innocent burst of laughter pierced through my cries. It came from behind me. I twisted my head back and saw a boy kneeling on the ground, clutching his stomach as he laughed uncontrollably.
My fear snapped into something hard and sharp. It didn't matter if I tried to keep it in—I was just a kid at the time.
What is he laughing about? This isn't funny!
When he lifted his head and made eye contact with me, he laughed even harder. This little—just wait until I get on the ground!
Once his laughter died down, he cautiously approached, timing his footsteps to avoid getting hit.
"Sorry, dude," he said. "I just didn't expect you to start screaming like that."
As I oscillated backwards, he planted his feet in the ground and grabbed one of the chains. He was dragged backwards along with me for a bit before we both came to a screeching halt. I blinked, staring at the still ground. Then at him.
"See? Easy, right?"
There were a lot of things I wanted to ask him, but the only thing that came out was a small "...w-why?"
This was the only word I actually knew how and when to say it. I was forced to use it a lot in my daily life, after all. It was my only way to ask the world to explain itself.
His eyes widened.
"Wow… you really can talk."
His lips curled into a bright grin. Before I could react, he swung his arm around my shoulder and pulled me close. I yelped in surprise.
"Well, I thought you were having trouble, so I just wanted to help you out!"
I tilted my head, trying to show my confusion.
His grin stiffened slightly as he scratched his cheek and laughed awkwardly.
"Hahaha… yeah, you probably don't understand what I'm saying, do you?"
He let go of me and plopped down on the ground, crossing his legs and resting his chin in his hands. I wasn't sure what he was doing, but I was curious, so I sat down right next to him. I could vaguely make out the soft 'hmmms' he muttered under his breath.
Suddenly, his back straightened, and he looked at me with sparkling eyes.
"I got it!" he said as he snapped his fingers.
He stretched his arm out and stuck his pinky finger at me. My eyes narrowed, staring at the pinky with suspicion. …what is this supposed to be?
The boy scoffed in bewilderment. "Dude, don't tell me you've never done a pinky promise before."
His words flew into one ear and out the other.
He seemed to notice this and sighed.
"Well, even if I tell you now, you probably won't get it. So, I'll tell you now—AND in the future."
He smiled.
"This is a promise. And a promise is something you have to keep. I promise that from now on and in the future, I'll be your friend! What do you say?!"
I had no clue what he was talking about, but the way he looked at me was… different.
Not like the teachers. Not like the kids from before, either. It was a look I hadn't seen from anyone before, not even my parents. No—there was one person who looked at me like that. It was my lil sis.
He's wearing… the same face lil sis wears…
It was just a simple, genuine smile. No expectations, no deceptions, nothing. For a moment, the doubt and fear that sat in my chest vanished.
Before I knew what I was doing, I stretched my own pinky out. He hooked his with mine right away. Even without the context, I was able to tell that the act was something sacred, something more real than any language.
"Then, it's decided!" he said happily. "From this day on, you and I are friends! My name is Kevin, by the way. I won't ask you for yours now—but be sure to tell me in the future, okay?!"
For some reason, even though I didn't know what he said, I nodded. Kevin gasped, then nodded back just as seriously.
After that, we both got up and played around the yard together for the rest of lunch.
I didn't know it at the time, but Kevin had become my first friend. And my best friend.
I will never forget what he did for me.
Which was exactly what made it all the more cruel.