I made a friend!

The classroom buzzed with soft chatter as students trickled in after the entrance ceremony. Seraya stepped inside, her heart feeling heavy with the unfamiliar environment. She wasn’t good at talking to new people, but Yuki, walking beside her, made it feel a little less suffocating.
Yuki plopped into the seat in front of her, then spun around, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. “So, Seraya, what do you think of our class?” she asked eagerly. “The ceremony was pretty normal, right? Our classmates seem fun. But I really hope we get some fun teachers. And did you notice that guy in the front row? He looked half-asleep!”
Seraya offered a small nod, unsure how to respond to Yuki’s boundless energy. *Was I supposed to be as excited as she is?* She wasn’t sure. Her gaze flicked nervously to the window before Yuki’s voice cut through again, bringing her back.
Before Seraya could gather her thoughts, Noah entered the classroom, flanked by his friends. His gaze scanned the room, briefly lingering on Seraya before making his way toward them with the ease of someone comfortable in any setting. Without hesitation, he pulled out the chair beside Seraya and sat down.
“Hey,” he said casually, flashing a grin. His voice was smooth, warm, and confident. “Made a friend already, huh?”
Seraya blinked, caught off guard. She barely knew him, yet he spoke like they were already familiar.
Yuki, always quick to respond, turned to him. “And you are...?”
“Noah,” he introduced himself, his smile widening “You must be Yuki! I heard your intro, and I think you mentioned you're into basketball, right?”
“Yep, that’s me! I’m all about basketball. What about you? Do you play?” Yuki said, her face lighting up.
Noah nodded, then turned back to Seraya. “You don’t talk much, huh?”
Seraya’s throat tightened. Was that a bad thing? She wasn’t sure. *Was I being awkward? Should I say something?*
But before she could overthink it, Noah leaned back in his chair, nonchalant. “That’s fine. I like quiet people. They don’t waste words.”
Seraya let out a quiet sigh, her shoulders relaxing ever so slightly. *He didn’t mind. Maybe… maybe this wouldn’t be so bad.*
Yuki, who was already bouncing to a new topic, asked, “So, Noah, which club are you joining? I already know which one I’m going for.”
Seraya let their conversation fade into the background, focusing instead on the soft hum of chatter surrounding her. She wasn’t quite ready to jump into conversations yet, but she listened. She observed, her mind replaying the interactions in the hopes of understanding them better.
And for the first time that day, a small, quiet hope flickered within her. *Maybe, just maybe, I can belong here.*
As soon as class ended, Seraya gathered her things, eager to escape the weight of socializing. The hallways felt just as unfamiliar, and even though she tried to move quickly, her thoughts followed her in a quiet storm. But before she could reach the exit, rapid footsteps echoed behind her.
“Seraya, wait!”
She turned just in time to see Yuki hurrying toward her, breathless from the sprint.
“I forgot to ask. Let’s exchange numbers!” Yuki said, her eyes sparkling as she held up her phone expectantly.
Seraya froze.
Exchanging numbers meant texting. It meant staying connected.
Would Yuki still want to talk to her tomorrow? Next week? Or would it fade like it always did in middle school, when people lost interest the moment they realized Seraya wasn’t as exciting as they hoped?
Yuki tilted her head, sensing the hesitation. “If you don’t want to, that’s totally fine! I just thought it’d be nice to text.”
Seraya swallowed hard, anxiety coiling in her chest. *She isn’t forcing me. It might be a chance to make friends?* Slowly, she reached for her phone, her fingers trembling slightly as she typed in her number. 
“Thanks! I’ll text you later!” Yuki beamed, clearly not noticing Seraya’s inner turmoil.
Before Seraya could respond, a voice called from across the hallway. Another girl, one Seraya didn’t recognize, waved at Yuki. 
“Oh, that’s a friend from my middle school,” Yuki explained. “I should go catch up with her. See you tomorrow, Seraya!”
And just like that, she was gone, leaving Seraya standing alone in the hallway, her phone still in her hand, her heart still racing.
*Will she still talk to me tomorrow? or was this just a fleeting moment?*
She pushed the thought aside and walked toward the school gates, the familiar rush of quietness settling back into her mind.
Outside, Seraya’s mother waited for her, her presence grounding Seraya in the moment. As they walked home together, her mother glanced at her “How was your first day?”
Seraya hesitated. Her mother’s tone was gentle, understanding, but the weight of the question still lingered. “It was… okay. I talked to someone.”
Her mother’s eyes softened. “That’s wonderful, sweetie. You don’t have to rush anything. I’m glad you’re giving it a try.”
Seraya hummed quietly in response, not sure what else to say. The thought of having a friend felt foreign, yet comforting in its own way. *Maybe I can try again tomorrow.*
When they arrived home, Seraya's brother, Kaito Hosino, stood by the kitchen counter, plating something. “I made your favorite—strawberry shortcake. Come, have some.”
Seraya blinked in surprise before quietly accepting the plate. “...Thanks, big brother.”
Her younger sister peeked out from behind him, her voice high-pitched with excitement. “Onee-chan! You’re home!”
Seraya smiled softly, the weight of the day slowly lifting as her sister clung to her arm.
Kaito leaned against the counter, smirking. “So, did you talk to anyone, or were you your usual quiet self?”
Seraya paused, then murmured, “I… made a friend!”
The room fell silent for a brief moment before her brother raised an eyebrow. “Really? Who?”
“Her name is Yuki,” Seraya replied quietly.
Kaito’s grin widened. “Nice. I hope she’s a good one.”
The conversation drifted to other topics, but for the first time in a long while, Seraya felt... warm.
That evening, after dinner, Seraya’s father arrived home. He stepped inside, expecting the usual quiet of the household, but instead, he found his daughter chatting animatedly with her siblings.
He paused near the doorway, his expression a mix of surprise and relief.
Later that night, as Seraya went to bed, her parents sat together in the living room.
“It’s been a while since we’ve seen her like this,” her mother said softly.
Her father sighed, rubbing his temples. “Ever since middle school, she’s been so closed off. I was worried she’d struggle in high school too.”
Her mother nodded, her voice filled with hope. “Maybe this is a good start.”
---
Meanwhile, across town, Itsuki sat on the couch at Noah’s house, surrounded by a group of friends. Laughter filled the room as they played a video game, taking turns with friendly banter.
“ That was a cheap move!” one of them groaned as Noah flashed a victorious grin.
Itsuki chuckled but didn’t say much, his focus shifting when his phone buzzed beside him.
He glanced at the screen. *Dad.*
For a moment, something flickered in his expression—frustration, maybe. Or hesitation. His fingers hovered over the device before he sighed and flipping it over, ignoring the call.
Noah noticed, “Not gonna answer?”
Itsuki shrugged, his voice almost nonchalant. “Not in the mood.”
Noah didn’t press further, but the atmosphere had subtly shifted.Itsuki leaned back against the couch, staring at the ceiling. He didn’t want to deal with his father right now. Not today.
And so, he pushed it aside, burying himself in the distraction of friends and games, pretending for now that everything was fine.

---