The Pen That Changed My Life - Chapter 7 – After the Final Bell

12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbUTbBpqTH

The science project was finally over.

Our teacher praised our presentation, and for the first time in a long while, I felt proud of something I had done in front of the whole class.

When the bell rang, everyone hurried out of the classroom.

As usual, I packed my books slowly.

I didn't like rushing.

Just as I zipped my school bag, a familiar voice came from behind me.

"You're always the last one to leave."

I turned around.

It was Narin.

"I don't like crowds," I replied.

He nodded as if he had expected that answer.

"I noticed."

I looked at him curiously.

"You notice a lot."

He smiled.

"Only the important things."

For some reason, I didn't know what to say.

The hallway outside was almost empty now.

Most students had already gone home.

"You walk home, don't you?" he asked.

"Yeah."

"So do I... at least for part of the way."

We left the classroom together.

The afternoon sun painted long shadows across the school courtyard. A gentle breeze carried the laughter of students who were still playing football before going home.

For the first few minutes, neither of us spoke.

The silence didn't feel awkward anymore.

It simply existed between us.

As we reached the school gate, Narin suddenly stopped.

"Wait here."

Before I could ask why, he ran toward a small shop across the road.

A minute later, he came back holding two small juice boxes.

He handed one to me.

"Here."

I looked at it, then at him.

"You didn't have to."

"I know."

"...How much was it?"

He frowned dramatically.

"You're really going to pay me for a juice box?"

"I should."

He laughed.

"Then next time, you can buy me one."

I hesitated for a moment before accepting it.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

We continued walking.

The road eventually split into two directions.

"My house is this way," he said, pointing left.

"I'm that way."

He smiled.

"See you tomorrow, Phawin."

"See you."

I watched him disappear around the corner before continuing toward home.

That evening, my little sister was waiting outside before I even reached the front door.

"You took longer today!"

"I was talking to someone."

She raised an eyebrow.

"You? Talking?"

I sighed.

"It wasn't that much."

She laughed.

"I don't believe you."

I gently tapped her forehead.

"Come on."

We went inside together.

That night, while finishing my homework, I noticed the unopened juice box still sitting on my desk.

I smiled to myself.

It wasn't because of the drink.

It was because...

For the first time in my life, someone outside my family had started making space for me in their everyday life.

And without realizing it...

I had begun making space for him too.12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdST1yGIK17

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