Giampi, Fernando, and I started meeting at Giampi’s house more. We decided it was our mission to finish all of the books in Giampi’s library. Giampi put a table in the room. He handed out snacks and tea. We drank and read in silence for some time until we all got bored and decided to play a video game or watch a tv show.

We had been friends for a couple of months when summer came and that allowed us to hang out even more. When August arrived, and it was time to start the new school year, I was pulled aside by a teacher when I came to school to receive my lock and locker number.

“Hey Christopher, I just want to talk to you for a bit, is that okay?”

“Yeah, sure!”

We walked into his classroom. He walked over to his desk and sat down.

“I know I’m not supposed to say this, but you’re my favorite student. You’re the most dedicated student in this English class. You write the best stories, and I think you could really pursue a career in writing. It pained me that a very nice, smart and happy kid like yourself would seem so isolated. Now that I see you spending time with other kids, it makes me so happy for you. You finally found your people. I knew you would.”

I blushed.

“Thank you. It’s very inspiring to hear that I’m your favorite student and that you think I write excellent stories. I want to become an author when I grow up.”

“That’s great. I feel like these new friends are also a part of your growth and key to your success. I want you to do me a favor. Of course you don’t have to do it, I’m not forcing you. But I think it would be great for you to do it. Why not make as many friends as possible, I say!”

“What do you want me to do?” I asked, curious.

“I want you to be a student ambassador for the new kid. I think you can understand how it feels to be alone, and that’s how many of our new students end up. Wouldn’t it be great to be the one who welcomes him? How does that sound?”

Thanks to Mr. WIllis, that’s how I met Sebastian.

I told him at the time that I would think about it and headed home. There were two days before the start of the new school year. I sat at the table that evening with my family. My family looked a lot like me. My mother had long, silky brown hair, blue glasses, and brown eyes while my father had short black hair, brown eyes, and black glasses. My little sister had long brown hair, brown eyes, and no glasses. Although she didn’t have glasses, she looked a lot like my mother.

“What are you so concerned about? You’re not eating,” my sister said.

“My teacher asked me to be a student ambassador,” I replied, poking at my food.

“That’s wonderful!” both my parents said at the same time.

“I don’t know if I should do it or not. It’s very hard for me to make friends and I don’t even know what this guy is like. Maybe he’s a jerk and will bully me for the next five years of my life!”

“I think you should do it,” my sister said.

“Why?” I asked.

“Because, it’d be good for you. It’s a new experience and you’ve never done it before! It could give you a new friend!”

My sister ended up convincing me and I took the job.

………………………………

The first day of school I waited outside for Sebastian. I only knew what his name was. As the kids passed me I called out his name. After ten minutes of doing that I finally heard someone say:

“That’s me!”

I looked into the crowd to see a boy with short thick black hair, brown eyes and the beginnings of a thin mustache.

“Hi, I’m Sebastian,” he introduced himself.

“I’m Christopher,” I said.

“Are you my ambassador?”

“Yeah. We’re in the same class. Do you want me to show you around the school?”

“That would be great!”

We walked around the school and, as we walked, I decided to ask him what his favorite subject was.

“It’s English. I know it sounds odd because I’m Mexican and speak Spanish, but I want to learn the English language, explore it to the end! I want to be totally fluent,” he said enthusiastically. He smiled whenever he talked.

“That’s cool. My favorite class is also English. The main reason is that I really like to write. I want to be an author when I grow up,” I replied, getting excited to know if he liked to write too.

“I’m not that good at writing but I try my best, and I enjoy it. That’s what counts right?”

“Definitely! I’m sure your writing isn’t bad.”

“Thank you,” he said.

I stopped walking and got closer to him.

“Hey, do you want to be my friend?” I asked.

“That’s what I was just about to ask!” he said, laughing.

We became good friends quickly, since I shared every class with him. We sat together in all of those classes. I taught him everything I knew about writing. I got to know him better and even went to his house a few times. Two weeks went by and I still hadn’t introduced him to Giampi and Fernando. Since I only saw Sebastian during the day, I didn’t have much of a chance.

One day, I was sitting in Giampi’s library when suddenly he looked up from a manga comic.

“You made a new friend, didn’t you?” Giampi asked.

I looked down at the ground shamefully. “Sorry I didn’t tell you guys.”

“It’s alright bro. Bring him with you next time we meet up! I wanna meet him!” Fernando said, excited.

“I guess I could.”

And that’s exactly what I did. The next time we met at Giampi’s house, I brought Sebastian, who walked into the library looking deeply impressed.

“Ayyy, what’s up dude!” Fernando said.

“Hey,” Sebastian said with his famous, friendly grin.

“Welcome to our hangout place!” Giampi exclaimed, holding out a hand.

We sat down on the floor.

“So tell us, what do you like to do, Sebastian?” Giampi asked.

“Well, I love to play volleyball and exercise!”

“Wow bro! You’re the only one here that likes to exercise!” Fernando chuckled.

Giampi frowned at him in mock offense. “I exercise too!” he said.

“Sorry bro, didn’t know that!” Fernando rolled his eyes.

We ended up doing what we always did. We all read books. I was particularly interested in light novels while Fernando was interested in manga. Sebastian was interested in comics and so was Giampi. We ended the evening with a binge watch of the last remaining episodes of Rick and Morty. I left the house, feeling happier than I’d ever felt before in my life.

…………………………………

The end of September came and it was almost time for my birthday. I was going to turn 14 and the special day was the 25th. I didn’t expect much from my friends as I had never told them my birthday. To be honest, I didn’t feel comfortable with all that attention. I decided to celebrate it with just my family.

“Bro, can you stop at the “base” after school with your math book? I need to borrow it,” Fernando asked me.

“Sure!” I said, trying to sound enthusiastic.

I walked to the base, which was Giampi’s library, and opened the door. I walked in and all the lights were off.

“Giampi? Fernando? Sebastian?” I called.

There was no answer. I walked upstairs to the Giampi’s living room. The lights were off too. I turned my head suddenly when I heard breathing come from the base’s door. It was heavy breathing. I thought it was odd, I walked towards the door and opened it.

I screamed and fell back. The lights suddenly flicked on and I was greeted to everyone yelling:

“Surprise!”

I regained my composure and stood up.

“What’s going on?” I asked.

Fernando smiled at me.

“Your parents told us about your birthday and we thought we would surprise you!” he said.

I felt a bit irritated that my parents hadn’t told me about this but it was sweet that they threw me a surprise party. The room was covered in banners that read Happy Birthday!. There was a giant ice cream cake on the table.

I walked into the room and was greeted to a new face. It was a boy with dark blonde hair, blue eyes and a smattering of freckles across his nose and cheeks.

“Umm...hello!” I said, a little surprised to see a new face.

“Hey birthday boy,” he said.

“Hey thanks! I’m Christopher, who are you?”

Fernando walked up to him and sat down beside him.“I brought him to meet everyone, he’s new in town. His name’s Jett!” he said.

I put my hand out to shake. He high fived me instead. I could already tell this guy was like Fernando. They would make a good duo.

“What are your interests, Jett?” I asked, sitting down in front of him.

“Well, I really like Marvel movies and comics,” he replied.

“I like comics too!” Sebastian cried.

“High five!” Jett said, extending his arm.

They high fived and we all dug into the cake. That was the first surprise birthday party I had and the first party I had with friends.