2009, January ,5
The day began with a bright morning as Max woke up to his mom's cheerful voice calling him for the first day of school. Moving to a new country felt strange, but Max hoped it could also be a new beginning. He got ready, grabbed his cycle, and rode toward school. The fresh air gave him a small sense of hope, and for the first time in a long while, he felt that maybe the day would turn out good.
A Friendly Classroom
When he entered the classroom, the teacher welcomed him warmly and introduced him to the class. Max introduced himself quietly, and for once, the students didn't stay silent. A few smiled and nodded. A tall, sporty boy with a calm expression offered Max a seat beside him. His name was Lucas, and when Max sat next to him and shook his hand, he felt unexpectedly welcome.
Science Class — First Teamwork
Later, in Science class, the teacher formed pairs, and Max ended up with Lucas. Lucas whispered that he struggled with science, and Max, with a small smile, agreed to help. Lucas kept looking out at the football ground during the lesson, and when the teacher suddenly questioned him, Max subtly showed him the answer. Lucas felt grateful and thanked him after class.
Lunch — A New Friendship
During lunch, Max sat alone at a small table, not sad—just quiet. Lucas entered the canteen, heard his friends calling him, but chose instead to approach Max. He asked if he could sit with him, and Max nodded. They talked about the differences between Chile and America, and for the first time, Max felt a warm sense of comfort growing inside him. Lucas promised to show him around the school, and Max felt that same warm feeling spread through him again.
Math Class — A Small Promise
In Math class, the teacher announced an upcoming test, and Lucas groaned about being terrible at math. Max offered to help him study, and Lucas looked genuinely happy. It felt like the beginning of a small friendship.
After School
After school, Max's cycle chain got stuck, and as he struggled with it, Lucas came over to help. He fixed the chain quickly, hurting his finger in the process, and Max immediately wrapped a bandage around the small cut. Lucas smiled softly at Max's caring gesture. They walked home together, talking lightly about games, football, and random things—nothing serious, nothing dramatic—just a simple, comfortable moment between two boys.
Night — A New Feeling
That night, Max lay in bed replaying the day. He thought about Lucas—his smile, the way he helped, the way he chose to sit with him instead of his friends. A small smile appeared on Max's face as he whispered to himself that Lucas was nice. He didn't know what this new feeling was yet, but the warmth in his chest made him hopeful.