The first few days were the worst, maybe because it was my personality or it was that I put no effort in to trying to make friends but eventually I found a friend. I joined St. Johns Boarding School a month into the second semester and on the first day I felt out of place. I was, unfortunately or fortunately depending on how you look at it, a genius; everything I did was ahead of my age, and impressed the teachers and adults with my work. To keep one upping myself I have to work constant hours on something new, and these ideas, thoughts, and imaginations would consume my everyday life to the point where I would stop eating for days and never leave my room; papers, magazines, napkins, even the tags on my shirts would have my version of English involving number, letters, and drawings that would make no sense to anyone. Due to my gift, I was torn apart from everyone and never had many social interactions other than to myself, but on the 34th day of my stay at St. Johns a boy appeared next to me on the bench, just sat down with no introduction.

“Look, dude, you cant be sitting here everyday” the kid said without even looking at me, “have you talked to anyone? Like throughout your time in this lovely school”

I froze a little bit, talking was no easy feat for me, but this kid was putting in the effort and I appreciated that at least.

“Well I am trying to find the possible answers to Rick’s problem he asked us to do,” I said, trying to find the words to not scare this new kid.

“His name is Mr. Son don’t call teachers by their first name Rob, no one does,” the kid said “look Rob you have to get up, move around a little bit” he paused “when was the last time you ate?”

Finally looking at me I could see this person was a little older than me, probably a senior or an old looking junior, about my size, skinny, but built, and had a rebel quality about him judging by the way he dressed out of dress code and sat kind of slanted. He was clearly above the rest, or so he thought, but I liked him for that so I would allow him to think that.

“I have avoided trying to distract myself from the real problem” pointing to the math problem “besides it looks like you could use the food more than me”

“Well thank you, its nice to know you like my figure, Chris” holding out his hand finally introducing himself “Chris Shane, lets go get some food.”

They got up and were leaving the campus. I got out my school ID for the guard.

“Wont you need yours?” I said.

“Nah they know me, I’ve been here too long” he replied.

He shuffled on, accepting what Chris said, and moved on getting glances from everyone they walked by as Chris and I continued their conversation. The walk to pizza was relieving; here was a guy I could talk to and would respond with something. I finally felt recognized, electrified and I did not know what to think of it other than keep imagining its happening.

We walked in the pizza place a little on edge about what to say, I did not want to appear like I was thinking about it too hard but I also wanted to appear like I knew what I was saying. He moved through the tables and around the people to a booth for two where I followed.

“Know what you want?” Chris said.

“Yeah, ya know, a couple slice or whatever, how about you?” nailed it.

“All set call her over” he responded, motioning to the waitress.

Waving my hand I called her over, nervous that I would mess up our order I repeated it many times in my head.

“How can I help you, sweetie?” she started.

“Yeah we will take uh some water to drink and four slices of pizza to share” pointing to Chris.

The waitress looked at me then at Chris, paused, pointed and Chris and said: “for him?”

“Yeah for my friend Chris” as I nodded.

Acknowledging my head nod she turned around and placed the order, glad I did not mess up I turned my attention towards Chris.



Being a waitress at the local pizza place for three years Sarah has seen all types of people ranging from crazy to the pleasant but never has she seen a kid more happy and excited than the one that just walked in. She eyed him a while as he was crossing the floor, picking his seat, and stopped at the double booth. Immediately, she noticed his loud muttering and odd gestures. He called her over and she began her walk.

“How can I help you sweetie” she began, her normal routine starting.

“Yeah we will take uh some water to drink and four slices of pizza to share,” he said.

She did a double take. She did not see him come in with anyone and he did not have a phone on him so he wasn’t waiting for anyone.

“For him?” she said pointing at the empty chair right across from him.

“Yeah for my friend Chris”