Chapter Text
It is almost 8 AM at Riverside High School. Henry, a shy 15-year-old, is starting his first day. His family moved this summer, and he was starting his sophomore year here. He’s a bit nervous.
Okay, let’s see.
He takes out his schedule.
Period 1: Geometry
Room #: 224
Teacher: Ms. Adams
Henry looks up from the paper and glances around the hallway.
Alright. Time to find room 224.
Henry starts wandering the halls aimlessly, hoping he will find his classroom. He walks down the hall until he reaches the end. Nothing.
Ding! Ding! Ding!
Oh no! I can’t be late on my first day.
He watches the other students enter their classrooms. Soon, he was the only person in the hall. He felt very scared but couldn’t bring himself to ask for help. Henry walked back to where he started. Suddenly, he saw a girl who just entered the school. She saw him looking a bit panicked and approached him.
"Hey. Are you okay?"
Henry was too shy to talk, so he just shook his head.
"Do you need help finding your class?"
Henry nodded.
"Where are you trying to go?"
Henry hands her his schedule. She takes it and looks at the room number.
"Oh! That’s where I’m going, too. We’re in the same class."
Henry smiles for the first time today. "Really?"
"Yup. Come walk with me."
They walk to geometry together. Turns out, Henry was on the wrong floor the whole time. The classroom is on the second floor, not the first. As they walk, the girl talks to Henry.
"So what’s your name?"
"Um. My name is Henry."
"Nice to meet you, Henry. I’m Vanessa. Are you new here?"
"Yeah. My family and I moved here a few months ago. I’m originally from Connecticut."
"Cool. Are you liking it here so far?"
"Kind of. It’s a nice area, but I miss my old home."
"I understand. It’s a big change, isn’t it?"
"Mhm."
"I’m sure you’ll settle in soon."
"I hope so."
They arrive at room 224.
"And we’re here." Vanessa starts to walk into the room, but Henry doesn’t follow her. "You coming, Henry?"
"Yeah. I just need a minute. I’m really, really nervous."
"It’s okay, Henry. Take your time. I promise you, Ms. Adams is really nice. All of the teachers here are. I know you’re worried, but trust me, everything’s gonna be alright."
Henry smiles. "Thanks, Vanessa." He takes a deep breath. "Okay. I’m ready now."
"You got this." They head inside the classroom and start their day.
(Lunchtime)
Henry is sitting alone at a lunch table, eating the lunch his mom packed him. He watches as the students sit with their friends and talk. I wish I could do that. Looks like fun.
Vanessa is walking with her lunch tray, trying to find a place to sit. She sees Henry sitting by himself. "Henry?"
Henry looks up from his lunch. He smiles. "Hey, Vanessa."
"May I sit with you?"
"Yeah, I don’t mind."
Vanessa takes a seat next to Henry. "How are you doing?"
"Pretty good. I liked my classes so far. Everyone’s been really nice."
"I told you."
"How’s your day going?"
"It’s good. I can’t wait for it to be over. I’m exhausted."
Henry laughs. "I’m excited to go home, too. I miss my family. I couldn’t stop thinking about them all day."
"Who’s in your family?" Vanessa asked, trying to get him to open up.
"Me, my mom and dad, and my older sister, Alyssa. Do you want to see a picture of them?"
"Sure."
Henry goes through his phone and finds a picture of his family to show Vanessa. He finds one from his sister’s high school graduation and shows her.
Vanessa smiles. "That’s so sweet. I’m sure they’re thinking about you right now, too."
"I hope so." Henry puts his phone away. "Um, I would like to get to know you, if that’s okay."
"Sure. What do you want to know?"
"Um, well, what do you like to do?"
"I like listening to music, watching TV, and reading. I’m learning how to crochet, but I’m not very good at it yet."
They eat and talk for about 15 minutes before Henry starts to feel pressure in his bladder. Uh oh, he thought. I have to go pee. Henry thought about when he had his last pee. Right before he left the house. Almost 4 hours ago. He definitely had to go now. The only problem is that he doesn’t know where the bathroom is.
Vanessa noticed Henry had his nervous face again. He was staring at his lunch, and his leg was bouncing. "Henry?" She taps him gently on his shoulder.
Henry looks up. "Oh, sorry."
"Is everything okay?"
"Yeah, everything’s fine."
Vanessa gave him a small smile and looked at his bouncing leg. "You sure?"
Henry looks down and shrugs.
"I might be able to help you if you tell me."
Henry hesitated but decided that it was time to speak up. Otherwise, he would go pee in his pants. "I…I have to use the bathroom. But I don’t know where it is."
"Is that all?"
"Mhm."
"No worries. Would you like me to show you where the bathroom is?"
"Yes, please," Henry said, very relieved.
"Come on." Vanessa takes Henry to the men’s bathroom. She waits outside, leaning against a wall. "I’ll wait right here for you, okay?"
Henry nods.
"Take your time."
Henry goes to the bathroom and hurries for a urinal. He makes it just in time. Phew. He pees for a while, feeling much better. When he’s done, he cleans up and washes his hands. He leaves the bathroom and sees Vanessa waiting for him.
"All done?"
"Yup."
"Good." They walk back to the cafeteria.
"Thanks for taking me to the bathroom."
"No problem. I’m glad you feel better now."
10 minutes later, the bell rings, signaling the end of lunch. Henry and Vanessa gather their things.
"Thank you for spending this lunch period with me."
"My pleasure. It was nice getting to know you a bit more. Would it be okay if I gave you my number so we can talk after school?"
Henry blinked, very surprised. "Oh, uh, sure."
They exchange phone numbers and shoot a quick text to each other to make sure it works. "Alright. All set. Have a good rest of your day, Henry."
"You too, Vanessa."
They both leave and go to their next class.
OMG, I JUST MADE A NEW FRIEND, Henry thinks. She is so nice and so sweet. She didn’t even judge me when I was talking about myself or when I needed a bathroom break. AND NOW I HAVE HER NUMBER!! I can’t wait to tell Mama, Alyssa, and Dad about her.