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Joe didn’t really hear what his mother was saying. He was just looking out of the car window at the different buildings passing by.
“Joe?” Joe’s mother said as she placed a hand on Joe’s head.
“Oh we’re here,” Joe said as he took his school bag.
“Are you sure I shouldn’t go with you?” Joe’s mother offered. “It’s a new school.”
“Mom, I’m 10,” Joe protested. “I got this.”
“Ok,” Joe’s mother replied. “Remember through the door and down the hallway to classroom number 9.”
“As I said, I got this,” Joe replied. “See you.”
“See you,” Joe’s mother replied. “I’ll be back to pick you up.”
Joe just rolled his eyes as he got out of the car before running up the stairs to the school. When he stood in front of the door, he turned around and waved at his mother.
As Joe was walking down the hallway, he noticed that this wasn’t the biggest school in the world compared to his old one. When he was just about to open the door to classroom number 9 another kid bumped into him.
“Oh sorry,” The boy said with a thick accent as he picked up his books. “Late as always.”
Joe had seen other children with blue eyes before, but these eyes were different. It was like looking into the colors of the ocean. While Joe was staring at the boy the door opened.
“Mr. di Genova. Late as always,” The teacher said. “What is your excuse today?”
“Charlie had just found the golden ticket,” The boy replied. “And I forgot the time. Sorry Mr. Johnson.”
“Just find your seat, Nicky,” Mr. Johnson said. “Now, please.”
Joe saw that as Nicky made his way to the back of the classroom, the other children just stared at him and giggled, which Joe couldn’t understand at all because Nicky seemed like a nice kid.
“And you must be Joe,” Mr. Johnson said as he directed Joe toward his desk. “Children, this is Joe. He has just moved here with his mother from Holland, so I want everyone to make sure that he feels welcome.”
Joe saw that some of the girls were making space at their small tables while giving him smiles and that Nicky was all alone at the only table that was made for two.
“Joe,” Mr. Johnson said. “Find a seat and then we can resume the math lection.”
“Can I sit next to Nicky?” Joe wanted to know.
Every child in the classroom stared at Joe, then Nicky, and then Joe to check if they had heard correctly.
“You want to sit next to that freak with four eyes?” A girl wanted to know, while another girl asked. “Have you seen what he is wearing?”
Nicky ducked his head before he disappeared behind a book and Joe knew he wouldn’t be friends with any of the girls.
“Yes, I’ve,” Joe replied. “And I might not agree with his choice of a football club, I think it’s a cool football shirt.”
Nicky looked up from the book at Joe. It was the first time anyone had stuck up for him.
“If that’s what you want to do, then do it,” Mr. Johnson said before the girls could protest. “And Olive and Jenna. We’ll have a talk after class is over.”
Joe made his way down to the table, where Nicky was sitting, and reached out his hand as a greeting.
“I’m Joe,” Joe said with a big smile. “And I’m a football fan of Feyenoord.”
Every child in the classroom looked when Nicky shook Joe’s hand, while Olive and Jenna ignored them.
“I’m Nicky” Nicky replied with a small smile. “Football fan of Roma.”
“Nice to meet you,” Joe said. “Could we share your math book until I get my own?”
Nicky placed the math book on the table.
“Thanks,” Joe said. “Between us, I don’t like math. What about you?”
Nicky looked over at Olive and Jenna, who stared daggers at him just as Joe moved closer to him.
“You do know,” Nicky said. “If you want to sit next to me, you won’t get any friends.”
“I already got a friend,” Joe said. “His name is Nicky, fan of football, and loves books. Plus he just shared his matt book with me.”
“You want to be my friend?” Nicky wanted to know. “Why? I mean most people don’t want to do that.”
“It’s their loss,” Joe replied. “Or don’t you want a friend?”
“That would be nice,” Nicky replied. “Do you mean it?”
“Yes, I do,” Joe replied. “And when we get a break I want to hear about the book you’re reading.”
“No one ever wants to hear about them,” Nicky replied. “They think I’m a freak because I love books.”
“People also think that about me and my drawings,” Joe replied as he slide a piece of paper over to Nicky. “For you.”
Nicky looked at the wolf.
“Since you’re a fan of Roma,” Joe said.
“Thanks Joe,” Nicky replied. “What can I give you in return?”
“Just tell me about the book you’re reading at the moment,” Joe replied.
“Joe, Nicky,” Mr. Johnson said. “Pay attention.”
From that moment, Joe and Nicky were best friends and inseparable. Every time Nicky had read a book, Joe would make a drawing in return.