Chapter Text
Elementary school sucks.
5th grade is something else. Almost everyday some group of girls from her class would dismiss her as nothing and glare at her when she spoke. Or a boy would whisper, calling her a crybaby when her voice trembled during a QnA session with the teacher. Sure she was a crybaby. But that was in the past, dammit.
She hates school. She hates everyone. Except for her three (or.. was it four?) friends that always sticked with her.
It's fucking hot in this tropical country. The layers under her uniform didnt help either. It felt too tight, suffocating her skin. She thought about ditching whatever school event this is in the morning. The crowd of people and monotone voice booming from the ugly ass speaker is making her even pissed. She was about to grumble something again under her breath, until she saw her.
A girl, taller than her. She looked confused. Considering she never saw her, she must be new. Then it clicked. She remembered last night, her mother told her about her childhood friend that moved to her school.
Honestly, she was kinda nervous since most of their interaction at kindergarten was not much. They'd been neighbours too once, until she moved away.
Summoning the courage, she took a deep breath and forced a small smile to the new girl, her childhood friend. "Hey," she said, hoping her smile wont look too weird. "Are you.. Helia?"
The new girl looked down on the shorter girl, glancing at the small embroided nametag on the uniform, 'Plum'.
"Yeah, my name is Helia. Uhh.. why do you ask?"
Plum noticed the new girl seemed a bit nervous, so she gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "Do you remember me? Im like.. your childhood friend. Y'know, at kindergarten. Plum? Does that ring a bell?"
Helia's face scrunched up in concentration for a moment, then her eyebrows shot up when she remembered. "Oh, right. Plum! I remember you liked wearing pink dresses." Helia said, her eyes crinkling slightly when she smiled. Plum somewhat felt something from that.
"Yeah, that was embarassing," Plum snickered, lowering her voice to a whisper as she noticed a teacher nearby. "Here, get on the line. Dont wanna piss off the teacher." She said, as she guided Helia to stand behind her among the crowd. Sure, Helia is taller than her and stuff, but she felt like she wanted to.. protect her? Not sure.
She felt like this is a beginning of something. Friendship.. probably. Just a new friend.