"Nicole." Jonathan called her.
Nicole turned to look at her brother, her eyes fixed on him. She was already wearing her uniform, having enrolled late because her mother had rushed through the transfer process so she could attend the same school as Jonathan.
Her brother messed up her hair and kissed her on the forehead. They were inside the car, on their way to her new school—where Nicole would meet new people who might soon become part of her life.
Nicole's hands trembled slightly, nerves creeping in at the thought of new classmates. What if I don't find any friends? Will they even accept me? Her thoughts spiraled.
"We're here, Nicky," Jonathan said.
Nicole's eyes scanned the school grounds. Her knees felt weak, and she swallowed hard, hesitant to step out of the car.
"Come on," her brother encouraged. Nicole exhaled, trying to steady herself, and followed him.
They walked side by side. Nicole noticed how many people seemed to know Jonathan.
"Brother, this school is huge. Won't I get lost?" Nicole asked, glancing at the sprawling campus.
Jonathan chuckled at her question and ruffled her hair again.
Soon, they ran into Kelly, who seemed to be in a hurry.
"Hey, where are you going?" Jonathan asked.
"Ah, Jonathan, has your driver already left?" Kelly asked, panting slightly.
"Yes… why?" Jonathan replied, puzzled.
"My assignment!"
Jonathan sighed. "You're hopeless, brat." He pulled something from his bag and handed it to her. "Here, copy this. Just tell the teacher you left your notebook."
"My notebook's with me! I just don't have the solutions," Kelly explained.
"Then borrow this," Jonathan said.
"Thanks!" Kelly said cheerfully.
Her eyes then landed on Nicole. "So Nick-Nick is finally coming to school," she teased.
"What, Nick-Nick?" Nicole raised an eyebrow.
"You're really Niknik," Kelly said again with a soft laugh.
"Enough already. Go back to class, Kelly. Stop teasing her," Jonathan scolded quickly.
"Bye!" Kelly waved and hurried off, nearly tripping as she ran.
"What a clumsy brat," Jonathan muttered, shaking his head.
"Kelly seems different now," Nicole observed.
"Really?" Jonathan asked.
Nicole just nodded.
"I'll take you to the faculty room," Jonathan said. Nicole agreed, and soon he introduced her to her new adviser before leaving her there.
Nervously, Nicole followed her adviser toward her classroom. When it was time to introduce herself, her palms were clammy.
"Jane Nicole Villa," she said with a gulp. "Nice to meet you all." She forced a quick smile as dozens of eyes stared back.
Her gaze caught that of a girl seated by the window. The girl looked at her quietly, and to Nicole's surprise, she was asked to sit beside her.
Nicole's stomach fluttered as she met the girl's calm gaze.
"Hi," she said, shyly.
The girl blinked in surprise, then returned Nicole's gaze.
She looks familiar… Nicole frowned, trying to remember. Ah! At the camping trip!
"Didn't we meet at the camping trip? Weren't you the one the kids mistook for the Pop Princess?" Nicole asked, studying her face.
"I… I guess so. But my name's Julie. I'm not the Pop Princess," the girl replied nervously.
"Nice to meet you, Julie," Nicole said with a smile.
"Nice to meet you too, Nicole," Julie replied, smiling back.
She seems nice, Nicole thought. I hope she'll be my friend.
The class began soon after.
****
Julie let out a quiet sigh, glancing at her new seatmate. She smiled politely and returned to the lesson.
When the bell rang for recess, Nicole leaned toward her.
"Julie," she said softly.
Julie looked up. Nicole scratched her head, shy and embarrassed.
"What is it?" Julie asked.
"W—Would you… like to go for recess?" Nicole stammered.
Julie nodded.
"Can I join you?" Nicole asked nervously.
Julie nodded again, smiling. She saw the relief on Nicole's face and chuckled softly.
They walked together toward the canteen. Julie checked her phone and saw a message: Kelly wouldn't be coming. She's probably busy, Julie thought. Too bad—I could've introduced her to Nicole. Maybe tomorrow.
"Julie," Nicole said again.
Julie looked at her.
"The food here is so expensive. Do you know anywhere I can save money?" Nicole asked, scratching her head.
Julie laughed. Exactly how I felt when I first transferred.
"I know a place where you can save your allowance. Come with me." She tugged Nicole along.
"Yay! I'll really save money this way!" Nicole said cheerfully.
"Told you so," Julie laughed as they enjoyed their meal.
"So, where did you study before? Were you already here?" Nicole asked, curiosity sparkling.
Julie laughed softly. "Like you, I'm also a transferee."
"Really? Since when?"
"About a month ago."
Nicole studied her. "That long already? But you don't really have anyone with you." She glanced around.
Julie scratched her head. "I don't know either. Ah, well—I do have a friend, but she's not here today."
"Really? Is she in our class?"
"I don't have a friend in our section," Julie admitted, sipping her juice.
Nicole's eyes widened. "So I'm your first friend in class? Even though you've been here a month?"
"Looks like it," Julie admitted.
Nicole burst out laughing. "Should I be proud of that?"
Julie laughed with her.
"I'll introduce you to my friend. She's in Grade Ten, though."
Nicole shook her head in disbelief. "Wow. No friends in our class, but you've got one in Grade Ten?"
"I don't know either," Julie chuckled.
"Are our classmates that mean?" Nicole asked.
"Not really. Maybe I just don't fit in their circle," Julie replied.
"So, where did you study before?" Nicole asked again.
Julie smiled. "Public school."
"Really?!" Nicole exclaimed. "I was in public school too!" She laughed.
"I used to study in the North," Julie explained.
"Oh, I was in the South," Nicole said.
"I didn't expect that," Julie smiled.
"Me neither." Nicole laughed along.
The bell rang, signaling the end of recess. They headed back to class, Julie feeling genuinely glad. I'll introduce her to Kelly tomorrow, she thought with a smile.