First Day

 “Come, Nancy, I’ll walk with you to the bus stop,” said Elizabeth. She sensed Nancy was a tad anxious after breakfast.

Nancy sighed. “Thank you, mom.”

Nancy wore her shoes while Elizabeth collected the house keys.

“Let’s go, mom,” said Nancy. 

“Sure, let’s go.”

They had ample of time so they ambled along.

“So, are you excited for your first day?” asked Elizabeth.

“Yes,” replied Nancy unconvincingly.

“You don’t look excited.”

“Well, to be frank, I’m anxious and a little bit nervous as well.”

“I can understand, but you need not worry. The review of your new school is really good!”

“I’m sure it is. Will I be loved by everyone at school? Will the kids accept me? Will I be able to make a good impression? These are the questions that are bothering me,” said Nancy.

“Understand this, Nancy, you don’t need to be loved by everyone. It will never happen, neither in school nor in life, it’s futile to even try. What you can do is remain true to yourself at all times. If you are true yourself, you will naturally attract like minded people, who accept you as you are. Try to be someone else to impress and you will attract people whose wavelength does not match with yours,” explained Elizabeth.

“I think I understand what you say,” said Nancy.

“The one who accepts you as you are is the one who deserves to be your friend. In life, you don’t need many friends, you just need a few true ones. It’s not about quantity, it’s about quality. I am sure if you just be who you are, you will make a good impression,” said Elizabeth.

They reached the bus stop, Nancy felt better after listening to her mother. The school bus slowly pulled over. Nancy glanced at the kids from the windows. Some were laughing, some were playing, and some were sitting quietly. Nancy noticed a cute and innocent girl sitting on the last seat. She noticed Nancy too. Nancy smiled at the girl and she smiled back. She waved at Nancy and Nancy reciprocated. Elizabeth was glad to see a genuine look of joy on both the girls. 

Nancy boarded the bus and made her way to the last seat. 

“You have beautiful eyes,” said Nancy looking at the girl’s blue eyes.

“Thank you,” replied the girl. “My name is Tina, what’s yours?”

“My name is Nancy. Will you be my friend?” 

“Sure, will you be mine too?”

“Yes,” replied Nancy.

A new friendship started brewing in the bus that morning as the it started moving towards school.