Today, it was raining heavily. I am sitting on the bus, looking through the glass window, watching outside as the rain continuously pour, iPop headphones on, "Momo" book opened on my lap. I always carry this book eventhough I have already read it multiple times. It is my favorite and it seems like the story is drawn in my mind like a diagram. I like the part where the characters danced. IPop echoes the great tunes of "Spring day" a song by BTS. Memories then, rushingly came back and clouded my mind. Intact...

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In the middle of 11th grade, my family moved in a new home because of my father's job. To tell you honestly, this is not fun. Breaking up with old friends and getting to know new friends is not easy to a person who does not know how to make friends like me. I rarely talk, always preferring to be somewhere in my own world and it's funny that others are afraid to step in. I didn't go to school that day, but when I arranged my luggage in my new room, I can imagine a lonely time I'll be facing in school.

My seat is at the window, overlooking the courtyard with flower pots and trees. Sitting at the table with me was a guy. On the first day I came, he smiled and said:

-- You seem to have saved me from the fate of sitting alone. Welcome to the new school.

I smiled softly.

-- What's your name?
-- I'm Helen.
-- Hi! My name is Henry.

Henry has always been sitting alone since high school. So he called me his savior, salvation, and any word he think would fit me. I know he is just trying to make me feel good. And yes, I feel that the anxiety about being alone is gone. Because he is here with me. It really felt good.

Being in my new school for a while, made me realize that my friend Henry had a lot of girls who liked him. They peeked him anywhere, in the classroom, on the football field, in the canteen. They often pretend to ask him to do their homework or give a gift for any reason. Maybe because Henry is a handsome guy with warm brown eyes, his lips are always smiling like a kid. He usually teases everyone but he's also very kind.

Then it striked me. I realized I like Henry too. But not for all those reasons. Henry isn't like any guy I've ever known before. Henry helped me clean the classroom, not afraid to take the broom. One time, he helped me ccarry a huge bag with so many books up the stairs. He's thoughtful and trustworthy. He made me laugh. We talk a lot. We love to eat and then we discovered that the both of us like to eat cheesesteak: less onion and more cheese. I like watching Henry playing the guitar. He makes a great melody, plucking and strumming it with his heart. Occasionally, we jam; he plays the guita and I sing. He don't like to sing but when he sang my favorite BTS song "Spring day", with a voice sweet, he made me feel confused. I treat him as a friend until that day came. That strange feeling, was the first time I felt that. We were friends so I let my feelings to be still in my heart. When we are together, I feel like the two of us own the world. Just me and him, and for me that is enough...

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My birthday came. It is supposed to be happy but the rain outside makes my day gloomy. It has no sign of stopping. I stood at the bottom of the stairs, watching the rain with my eyes full of anxiety. Henry came to my side and having his usual jolly tone:

-- Looks like there's someone who is afraid of the getting wet in the rain.
-- You too.
-- No. I have raincoat.

He took two new raincoats in his bag and handed me one.

-- I just bought it in the canteen. Wear it. I have my bike. Do you want to have a ride?
-- I can ride the bus
-- While you are wearing raincoat? that seems awkward. Just come and be with me.

My heart flutters a bit. Suddenly, Henry said "Ah!" as if remembering something. He took something from his bag.

-- Happy birthday Helen!

And again with that strange feeling. I don't know how to react or what to say. I don't know why he knew my birthday but i dare not ask. The other girls standing nearby looked at me with envious eyes. I wanna cherish this moment so I set aside their stare and smiled at myself.

His gift is a book entitled "Momo", the writer is a German national. From the cover to the pages, I found the book very cute. It's like a modern fairy tale. Henry said that I was very much like the little girl Momo, who was always distracted but very gentle. While I look at him explaining the book to me, I felt happy.

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There is a strange thing about Henry that I noticed. He often get sick leave. One day, two days and sometimes weeks. I didn't pay attention at first but Henry continued to ask for a break from school, I was curious. One time, i asked...
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CONTINUE