When I was 5 years old, I started kindergarten and I was the quiet kid that didn’t speak much. I hadn’t been to pre-school and I had never been much of a talker even at home; I only really talked to my dad and when I was really talkative my sister. I was the kid that wound up with only one friend in my grade from kindergarten-second grade which didn’t bother me, but finding out I was going to switch schools after that second grade year terrified me. My mom was moving and, while in the same school district, 3 years not to share classes with my best friend made me think it was the end of the world. If only I knew what was in store for me.
When I started middle school, sixth grade, I had dealt with 3 years of being bullied and was silent and had a slight anger issue because of it. My first day at that middle school, in art class, a kid looked over at me that I had sat across from and said “shadow? I know that face anywhere”. It took me a minute, but I lightened when I realized who it was; it was the only kid that had been there for me in those early years. We would go on to date for over 2 years from 12-14 and have some amazing times together.
We haven’t talked in a long time, but I’ll never forget those calls we had together or the innocent presents. We spent hours playing online video games and talking on the phone; We spent so much time just talking and playing outside together, especially as young kids.
You know who you are and I would drop everything to this day if you needed me. Thank you for being there when everyone else around ignored me.
