An outcast I was. The typical quiet kid in the furthermost back corner of the classroom. Dressed in plain dull clothes, representing my life. Darkness was all I saw. Emptiness was all I felt. Anxiety overcame me every single time. "Lily. What's the answer?" "It's..it's..uhhh..it..." I could barely speak without stuttering. I now what it is in my head, I have the answer on paper, but why couldn't I say it. Ah, that's why. Their cold hard stares that pierced through me every time. The unwanted attention. The eyes of many on me, their murmurs after I answer. It feels as if they're judging me, what was it now? The way I dressed? The way I spoke? How I look? As I walk through the halls, and yea ether whispering of the other students, I can't help but believe they're criticizing me. "Hey you see that. Ugly, right. Haha." I turn around to find them talking about something else. "Look at that. How funny looking." They're also talking about something else, but why do I always fell as if they were talking about me. Was it because of my past "friendships"? I remember the event so vividly. ‘Haha. Lily. You really thought we could be friends. Look at you and the way you dress. Take a look in the mirror. You know if you give us more stuff, we can stay. Hah.' "Yeah, I don't fit in at all." I accidentally spurt out after recalling that scene. "What do you mean?" I look behind to see Annalise, the girl that got along with everyone. "Oh, uh,....noth...nothing." "Wanna hangout with me?" "Uh, no, uh, I'll get going." "Come on, let's just go get something to eat." " NO!" A loner I was, I didn't wanna hangout with other people, afraid of their judgements and how they thought of me. " Fine, then see you tomorrow, I guess. Bye." I hurried home. Annalise was probably another one of those people that only became friends with me for my money. My father owns a business that's always been doing well. He's one of the top businessmen's in the country. My parents always gave my supposed "friends" money and goods. Annalise probably wanted some, too. Everyone's like that, insincere and fake. Everyday after that Annalise came up to me to ask to hangout. She'd invite me for boba, to go shopping, to go to an event, or something else, in which I'd reject every time. She'd also come up to me to make some small talk, sit next to me during lunch, and eventually I did warm up to her. I mean her efforts were quite persistent and I guess I got used to it. Of course, there was still an invisible barrier, since I couldn't trust her completely. "Hey, Lily. Can I ask for something?" Ah, maybe she was no different. They'd usually give up after a few tries, but I guess Annalise, was just really set on getting what she wanted. "What is it?" "So, can you go to this address at 4 pm today, after school?" Does she want me to pay for something? I guess they really aren't all that different. "Sure." "Also, please wear this dress, of course if you feel comfortable in it. I believe I have gotten the right size, see you there." It was a knee length dress, white dress, with floral lace, and tiny jewels laying neatly across the dress. It was really pretty, and just the right size. It was also a dress that I had wanted to buy after walking passing the mall, but I didn't get it since it probably wouldn't suit me. I guess, I'lll wear it and go there. 123 Sesame Street, here it is. "Hey, Lily! You made it! Come inside the restaurant. Also wear this blindfold." "....okay?..Why?" "Don't ask too much. You'll find out later.... Okay, do not take it off. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" I don't know why but I started feeling tears welling up. A tear drop rolled down my cheek, unknowingly. I had even forgotten my own birthday. All my parents ever did was buy me a cake and some presents, but they were too busy with the business, so sometimes they ‘d forget it too. This was probably my first birthday party. " Lily. Don't cry. I'm sorry. Did I get the wrong date? No, but I asked the teacher for it and clearly saw that it was today. Unless, it's the dress is it uncomfortable? I had asked the school staff what size uniform you wore, so probably not. Oh, do you perhaps hate birthday parties?" "....No, I like everything thank you. Really, thank you." " why is the restaurant so empty?" "Oh, it's my parents restaurant. I asked them if they can close early today, so I can do this. Ok, here take your present. I saw you looking at the dress in the mall the other day, and the dress and this were a pair." I opened it to find a pair of pearl white heels, with a flower embellishments on it. It was truly really pretty. For the first time in my life, I felt a warmth in my heart. I hugged Annalise. "Thank you." She remembered the stuff I liked, and even went out of her way to find everything just to plan a birthday party for me. She took apart the wall, brick by brick. Really, Annalise was truly a great friend. I told her my story, and we happily celebrated the rest of the day like so. From then on, we never separated. We'd always look back to this part of our life. Thank you, Annalise for showing me something I would've never experienced before. Thank you, for being my friend and opening me up to this whole idea of friendship. What it felt to have a friend and be a friend. Thank you, truly, my first true friend, Annalise.