Sofia studied in a lower grade, so we parted ways when we arrived. There were a lot of people running around, joking, having fun, but no one for me to say hi. I went upstairs and entered the classroom. Some classmates here and there. I sat on the corner, close to the door, and started reading a Biology book. There was a test today and I hadn't even studied one bit.

Alex got in--tall and handsome. He turned to me and said hi and resumed walking towards a couple of girls on the other side of the room who started giggling as they saw him approaching. When did this happen? A year ago, we would be inseparable. We would be the two videogame fans who would spend their days talking and talking about the new FPS or Need for Speed. The rest would have nicknames for us--nicknames I can't even remember nor care about. After "that" incident, he distanced himself from me. It wasn't like he hated me or anything. I feel that he actually tried. It's just that his interests changed. Videogames were not the cool thing anymore. I don't blame him.

Edbert ran in shouting as always. I hated him. Why was he so noisy? But that was not the problem. The problem was...

"Hey, dummy!"

I ignored him.

"Hey, dummy-jay. I'm talking to you."

As he approached, I noticed Alex stopped talking to the girls and glanced at Edbert and me.

"Are you depth, you idiot?"

"Wait. "Depth"? And I'm the idiot here?"

"Wow! I haven't hit your face today. Am I right?" Alex seemed to have heard this because this time he even turned his back on the girls and paid more attention.

"What do you want, Edbert?"

"I want some notes for the Biology test."

"I haven't even studied myself. I'd need those notes more than you. You're gonna have to study during the break anyway. There's no salvation for your ass." Oh, man. It was one of those days I was more stressed than usual. It wasn't that I felt cocky. It was that I wasn't thinking at all. Oh, man. I got that feeling again, like my eyes are zooming in and out, and out, and a little more out somehow.

Of course, he held me by my collar using both hands and managed to get me off my chair. The noise of the chair's legs dragging on the floor was enough for Alex to come.

"Hey, Eddie. What's going on here?"

"Nothing, man. I just want some help with Biology", Edbert said while letting me go.

"Then come with me. Sara and Ana are talking about it."

Alex went first and Edbert turned to me for a moment.

"You know you won't always have him by your side. You're lucky, loser.", and left.

Geez, was I nervous! But the uneasiness came again as Ms. Farias entered the room. The test was going to start!

She was short and blonde, not too thin, but not too heavy either. She was pear-shaped and her boobs were sort of big, and for us hormonal kids, that was more than enough. Many of us would distract ourselves adoring her, but this was no time for that. I hadn't studied nor prepared any cheat sheet. What was I going to do?

I looked outside. I saw Sofia in the hall looking at me. How long had she been there? She was smiling and hugging her notebook. I waved my hand very slowly and she waved back.

"Good luck!", she shouted so loud that everyone in the classroom (including Ms. Farias) turned their heads to the door and then looked at me.

"Thanks.", I said with a trembling voice that, to this day, I don't know if she even heard. After that she left, running back to her classroom, I supposed.

I was utterly embarrassed, but there was something nice about what she did. I was feeling lonely, angry, and nervous, but she managed to calm all that anxiety. I felt so much better.