By: Ronok G.
A few years back, a new kid joined our class in middle school. Eager to befriend him, I enthusiastically introduced myself and he introduced himself shyly. I always sat with my friends’ group at lunch and gestured to him to sit next to me, but he shook his head. Throughout the start of the year I tried hanging out with him but he always gently refused and pushed away. However slowly he started getting friendly with me.
One day I asked him why he was always sad, and isolated from others. He responded unclearly and tried ignoring the subject. I assured him, “If you ever need someone to talk to, just know I’m there.” The very next day his emotions just burst, he started crying and said he doesn’t feel good about himself, that nobody likes him and is apprehensive of messing up relationships so he is always self-conscious. I was shocked and told him that he was one of the nicest people, I had ever met, that he did not need to worry about anything. With his permission I introduced him to some of my friends and saw growth in his social life throughout the year. I felt joy seeing his smile and improvement in his self confidence. It is such a great feeling to help someone, so I wrote this poem to hopefully help more people who feel lonely and depressed.
3rd · Middle School Writing (2021)