Nolly
Depending on the reception I will make this into a short book… Enjoy.
[ Based on a real experience]
"Why is that kid always sitting by himself and why does he always look dirty," I wondered. The school bell rang, signaling it was time for class. I hurried over to my friends to greet them. In unison, we all screamed and embraced each other. I plucked my bag on the floor and selected the desk I sat at every morning right next to my best friend. Glancing over, I noticed Nolly in his usual spot. At the very last row next to the window. With his swollen blood-red eyes, a runny nose, and ill-fitting clothes, he always seemed lost in thought while gazing out the window. What was he searching for? Nolly struggled to concentrate in class and faced constant reprimands from teachers. "Nolly, did you do your assignment?" asked Mr. Jay. Nolly started his usual string of excuses. "I did do it but I can't find it... wait, let me check my locker," he stammered. The whole class burst into laughter; it was expected of him to say something like that — what a joke. He never seemed to have his assignments or cared about his appearance. Why was he even attending school, and why would his parents let him leave the house in such a state? Our childish, ignorant stares followed him, yet he seemed unaffected. He slept a lot, a whole lot.
Back then, I would speak to Nolly from time to time, and he would amuse me because he was so friendly. I would offer him my snacks, and it would brighten his day. Where were his snacks? That's what I and my friends wanted to know. Sometimes When he participated in class, he was shockingly bright; I mean, he was actually not stupid. From the look of things, he had interests like everybody else. He actually spoke really well too; when he was not in a classroom setting, he was clear and audible. Dare I say it, Nolly was wise. He would drop nuggets of wisdom here and there about random topics, and we would just stare with our mouths open. Sometimes he would have lunch and eat with gusto; other times, he would just be lying on the lunch table, staring at the rest of us. I guess that's why I started sharing snacks with him because it was sad and empathetic, and I didn’t like seeing him like that. I didn't understand why his parents wouldn't give him any snacks or lunch money. Then one day, Nolly disappeared, and we never heard about him again. Like he didn’t exist. Like he wasn't part of our classroom, like he didn't leave an impression on us. Nobody seemed to care, not even the teachers. I think I was the only one in class who wondered what happened to him and if he ever got clothes that fit him. His empty desk haunted me.
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