«Loneliness usually scares most people, but to me it brought a strange curiosity. I thought being alone couldn't be so bad, that maybe it was my chance to be self-sufficient. What I wouldn't expect was that, in the darkest moment, a new presence would appear to show me that friendship can also spring up where you least expect it».
DOWN THE HALLWAY
XIOMARA: You sit in the back, right?
YO: Yeah.
XIOMARA: What if we sit together tomorrow?
YO: Do you really think we can?
XIOMARA: What do you mean?
YO: Well, you know, to come and sit next to me we'd have to move someone out.
XIOMARA: Yeah, but I think the guy sitting next to you will agree.
YO: Really?
XIOMARA: Let's bet... If I sit next to you today, you buy me an ice cream.
YO: What! You're gonna do it right now? (surprised voice).
XIOMARA: Yeah, well, it's a long time until 12 and I'm gonna get bored being alone... You're my only friend.
YO: Alright then, if you pull it off I'll buy you an ice cream... Good thing I have two soles right now.
XIOMARA: It's a deal.
YO: Yeah... Let's see what happens.
XIOMARA: You'll see I'll pull it off.
WE ARRIVE AT THE CLASSROOM DOOR
MISS: Kids, come in, you're the last ones.
US: Yes, miss.
YO: See? That's what happens when we talk too much, hahaha (I push her gently).
XIOMARA: Get out of here, hey!
(At that moment I went to put my backpack, where I carried my lunchbox along with the rest in the other corner of the room, and when I was heading to my seat I looked at those I called friends back then and everyone avoided my gaze, even Fernando. Then I saw Xiomara, who finished talking to a classmate sitting next to me. When I looked at her, she gave me a big smile and I smiled back, and I was also surprised because she had managed to convince that kid. Well, now I owed her an ice cream. Besides, they started moving their backpacks and I got to my seat).
YO: Wow, you did it.
XIOMARA: See? Never doubt me.
YO: Well, at dismissal I'll buy you the ice cream.
XIOMARA: Yay, ice cream!
YO: What, do you like ice cream that much?
XIOMARA: Yes, it's my favorite... Do you like it?
YO: Yeah, I like vanilla flavor and coconut too... What about you, which do you prefer?
XIOMARA: I prefer... Uh, let me think... I think my favorite ice cream flavor is...
MISS: Silence, children, we're about to start class.
YO: HAHAHA, she silenced you (whisper).
XIOMARA: Uh, you'll see... Buy me 2 ice creams.
YO: Get out of here! (I talk loudly).
MISS: Angelo, silence.
XIOMARA: HAHAHAHAHAHA (covers her mouth).
XIOMARA: Ha, she silenced you too (whispers).
YO: Well, we're even.
YO: But tell me which flavor you like best (whisper).
XIOMARA: My favorite flavor is vanilla with chocolate chips.
YO: Oh, that one is awesome.
XIOMARA: Same here.
(When I was talking to Xiomara, right in the direction I was looking, I noticed that the only one of my former friends who turned around to look at me was Dina, though I didn't pay much attention to it).
(When class ended we left quickly, she grabbed my hand and we ran out. Since our teacher had let us out minutes earlier, we hurried, because if she came back it would cause us little trouble, and we had to avoid having the rest of the kids notice us so they wouldn't snitch on us. But no one would follow us outside, because otherwise they would break the rules too. We ran as fast as we could before other teachers started guarding the door, since they wouldn't let us out until our parents arrived).
OUTSIDE THE SCHOOL
(When we went outside there were already many parents waiting for their children. Aside from our classroom there were about 10 more with 20 to 30 students each; I remember that day was really crowded and very sunny. As we ran we saw an ice cream vendor, but...)
XIOMARA: Look, an ice cream vendor, let's go.
YO: Yeah, ice cream... (I look at the place).
YO (THINKING): A white van... (fear).
YO (THINKING): Come on, there are a lot of people, nothing will happen.
FLASHBACK / MEMORY:
MADRE: Angelo, we're at your school now, listen carefully: I'll walk you in and then I'll leave, but I'll come back.
YO: No, mom, don't leave, I don't want to be alone.
MADRE: Angelo, listen to me: don't leave the school when I'm not here. If I'm not here, don't go outside, there are people out there who can do bad things to you.
YO: What kind of things?
MADRE: I saw a news report about a kid who was taken away in a white van and they took his organs and sold them.
MADRE: And do you know how they took him?
YO: I... don't... know... (scared voice).
MADRE: There were a lot of people, but the man approached the kid and said to him:
MAN: Come here, little boy, do you want me to give you a lollipop?
KID: Yes.
MAN: Come, take it, but if you want more, come to my van.
KID: Yes, I want more.
MAN: Come here.
KID: Uh, uh, uh (bites).
MAN: Ah.
KID: Help, help, help... Uh... uh... uh.
MADRE: And do you know why no one helped him?
YO: WHY?
MADRE: Because no one heard him, since there were so many people shouting their child's name... So be careful and don't go near strangers, especially if they offer you something for free.
XIOMARA: Ángel!... ÁNGEL! (tugs my hand).
YO: Ah, yeah...
XIOMARA: Let's go.
YO: I don't think it's a good idea, it could be dangerous.
XIOMARA: If you don't come, I'm going alone (takes my money from my hand).
YO: No, wait!
(At that moment I felt so much fear, in fact I almost peed my pants, but I overcame that fear and grabbed her arm. We reached the ice cream vendor and he sold us the ice creams, and we went back to school. But when we returned we tried to go unnoticed, but that kid along with Dairo and Fernando started accusing us to the teacher).
BULLYING: Miss, they went outside... Right, guys?
FERNANDO AND DAIRO: Yes, miss, they went out alone.
MISS: Angelo, is that true?
(In that moment I thought Xiomara would take their side and blame me again, but something happened that surprised me back then).
XIOMARA: Yes, miss, we went out and I forced him to.
MISS: Is that true, Angelo?
YO (LOWERING MY HEAD): Yes, miss, we went out and she didn't force me... I'm sorry for leaving without your permission, I promise I won't do it again, but please don't call my parents.
THE OTHERS: Miss, call their parents for disobeying!
MISS: Silence!
MISS: Thank you for being honest, Angelo... Alright, I won't call your parents, but don't do it again, okay?
YO: Yes, miss.
(After that, our friendship grew day by day, we were inseparable. I felt that with her everything was exciting, like going outside that day or tearing off a piece of the principal's purse —that was truly crazy— and escaping without getting caught).
XIOMARA: Uhhhhhh, no one saw us, right? That was crazy.
YO: You went too far, how could you trip and fall onto her purse?
XIOMARA: Shhhh, silence... Let me take you somewhere else.
YO: Yeah, LET'S GO!
XIOMARA: Oh, right, did you notice that a new kid might be coming to class?
YO: How do you know?
XIOMARA: I saw some parents come in, but I didn't see the kid.
YO: Let's see what happens.
XIOMARA: He'll probably come tomorrow.
YO: Or next week.
XIOMARA: Could be.
NEXT CHAP: A NEW MEMBER