The boy seems sad and lonely. He looks like he wants someone to talk with him. Maybe it would be nice if I talked to him.
sourceI open my mouth to speak, but then my throat tightens up. Maybe I shouldn't say anything. But I feel bad just watching him.
Should I go over there? Should I offer some help?
But what if he doesn't want me to? What if his life is actually more difficult than mine? I'm not so sure I should bother him.
What am I supposed to do anyway? How can I make this right? Am I even capable of doing that? Is it too late for me to start helping people?
I look at the boy again. Now he's looking out the window again. He's still sad, but now he looks kind of angry.
Why does he always seem so upset? And why isn't anyone doing anything about it?
Maybe I'll try talking to him. I wonder if he'd like to play a game or something. We could have fun together. It might be nice to meet another person like me.
Or maybe I don't need to worry about him. Maybe everything will work out. Maybe things are fine. No one else has any problems.
Is that true? Do I only see the world through a filter of my own troubles?
The boy who keeps staring out the window is still looking out the window. I've been thinking for quite some time now, and he hasn't moved from where he was before.
He probably doesn't want my help. That's okay. I'll leave him alone. But I wish someone would come along and speak to him. At least then he wouldn't be left alone with all those worries.
I don't know what to do anymore. I'm tired of being invisible. It makes me feel useless.
As I pass by the boy's window, I stop to take a closer look. There's something written on the paper, but I can't read it.
Maybe he needs help writing something. I think I'll help him out.
I approach his table.
"Hi there!"
He glances up at me. His expression turns sour.
"Did you want something?" he asks, looking away.
I nod. "Yes, I did." I sit down beside him.
He sighs.
"Do you want to play a game?" I ask.
He shakes his head.
"That's okay," I reply.
We're silent for a while.
Finally, I break the silence. "Are you having trouble?" I ask.
He nods. "Yeah, kind of."
"What's wrong? Do you want to talk about it?"
He sighs. "It's hard to explain..."
"Okay, well let me know when you figure it out. I'll help you if I can."
He nods. "Thanks."
I turn to face forward again.
"What's your name?" I ask.
He hesitates for a moment, then answers, "Michael."
I nod.
I glance at Michael again. He stares back at me. His eyes are focused on a point somewhere far off in the distance. He's staring at something behind me.
"I was wondering what you were thinking about."
"I was thinking about my parents."
I nod. "You miss them?"
He smiles sadly. "I do."
"So what happened to them?"
He shrugs. "They died."
I frown. "How old are you?"
He looks surprised. "I'm thirteen."
I nod. "And they both passed away?"
He nods.
I'm shocked. "I'm so sorry."
He looks down. "Thanks."
"Do you have any siblings?"
He shakes his head. "Just me."
"Then I'm really sorry for your loss."
"Thanks."
I'm quiet for a moment. Then I say, "If you ever need to talk, I'm here."
He nods. "Thanks."
I smile. "Let's play a game."
He smiles back. "Okay."
We spend the next hour playing games together. We laugh and joke around.
After we finish our game, I stand up. "Well, I better get going. It was nice meeting you."
He stands up as well. "It was nice meeting you, too. Have a good day."
I wave goodbye to him.
He waves back. I feel lighter somehow. I guess I've made a friend today.
I look around at everyone. Everyone is happy. I think about how different my life is compared to theirs.
Everyone is laughing and smiling. They're all having a great time. Why can't I have that same happiness?
I keep walking. I don't know where I'm going...
