C.W. Discrimination 

One day, as Lucas strolled across the schoolyard, he noticed Sergio sitting alone in his usual corner, sketching in an old, worn notebook —with his left hand. Intrigued, Lucas approached without hesitation and peered over his shoulder to see what he was drawing.  

“You’re a leftie! Only two kids in our class are like that,” Lucas remarked casually.  

“M-My grandma… didn’t l-like it,” Sergio muttered, his voice so low and hesitant that Lucas could barely make out the words.  

“And what are you drawing?” Lucas asked, leaning closer.  

Sergio glanced up, startled. His face flushed a deep red, a reaction that caught Lucas off guard. Instead of inspiring ridicule, Sergio’s blushing struck him as strangely endearing, almost “cute” in a way he couldn’t quite explain. After a moment of hesitation, Sergio shyly turned the notebook toward Lucas.  

Drawing was Sergio’s biggest secret. When alone, he sketched faces he saw on television, animals, and trees, all inspired by the realistic paintings in his grandmother’s eerie house —portraits of elegant ladies and dashing gentlemen from 16th-century France. Taking a deep breath to calm his nerves, Sergio revealed a detailed drawing of a small puppy, its eyes filled with determination.  

“It’s… just a d-drawing,” he mumbled, trying to steady his trembling voice.  

“Do you like drawing, Edevane?” Lucas asked, impressed by the surprising sketch.

Sergio nodded timidly. “I-I’m not very good at it.”  

“Don’t say that. You’re talented. Me? I can barely doodle,” Lucas replied with a broad grin. Then, he pulled a brand-new pencil from his pocket and gave it to Sergio..  

“Here. You need this more than I do. I’ve got plenty at home, and if you want more, just let me know.”  

Sergio’s eyes widened in disbelief. He hesitated, unsure if he should accept, but under Lucas’s encouraging gaze, he reached out and took the pencil. A faint, almost shy smile appeared on his lips. “T-thank you… L-Lucas,” he murmured, his voice faltering slightly as he said the boy’s name for the first time.  

Hearing Sergio utter his name sent an unexpected warmth through Lucas, and he smiled back. It wasn’t just friendship; it was something deeper, though Lucas couldn’t yet define it.  

From that moment, their bond began to grow. They started eating lunch together, sharing quiet gestures of support that didn’t require words. Lucas, usually outspoken when teasing others, found himself needing to speak less and listen more. Meanwhile, Sergio, who preferred to express himself through his sketches, began opening up in small but meaningful ways.  

Lucas soon realized how much Sergio meant to him, though the feeling left him questioning if it was okay. Determined to help his friend, he decided to support Sergio in one area he struggled with: speaking confidently in class. While Sergio’s grades were solid, he froze whenever he had to speak in front of others.  

Lucas found the perfect spot for their practice sessions: the school’s music room, a quiet, rarely used space away from prying eyes. There, he coached Sergio on diction and fluency, offering encouragement.  

During these lessons, Sergio discovered something new about Lucas —a hidden talent. His friend could play the piano with surprising skill, effortlessly bringing melodies to life. He explained that his father had taught him before his death, though the family piano had been sold by his mother. Lucas’s playing was bold and passionate, filled with energy that captivated Sergio.  

While Lucas played, the freckled boy would sit beside him, quietly sketching his friend in his notebook. These private moments deepened their connection, and Sergio found himself admiring Lucas more than ever. Secretly, he wished he could be more like him.

**  

On another occasion, summoning all his courage, Sergio asked, “W-Would you ever… want to be a musician?”  

Lucas let his fingers glide over the piano keys, creating a soft melody before answering. “I’d love to, but…” He paused, sighing deeply, then continued with unexpected honesty.  

“My mom says music won’t pay the bills. She wants me to find a job soon. And my stepdad? Mmm... He thinks I should study law, like his brother. I don’t know, Edevane. There’s a lot on my mind.”  

He felt a pang upon hearing this, but he mustered the courage to offer encouragement. “I think… playing the piano is amazing. I… admire you,” he murmured softly. “I… only have my drawings.”  

“What?! Don’t say that!” Lucas exclaimed, turning toward him with conviction. “You’re really talented, Sergio. You could definitely be an artist someday.”  

The sincerity in Lucas’s voice caught even him off guard. It was the first time he had called Sergio by his name, and the freckled boy couldn’t hide his shy smile. He lowered his gaze as his cheeks flushed a deep red. In that moment, he felt something entirely new —a profound connection with someone his own age. It wasn’t just friendship; it was a deep love, one that made him feel more real and alive than ever before.  

**

As the months passed, Lucas and Sergio’s friendship deepened. The boy who had once been the school’s most notorious bully made an abrupt and unexpected decision: he stopped tormenting others. For the first time, he no longer felt the need to vent his frustrations on those around him. Sergio, with his quiet kindness and unwavering friendship, had become the motivation Lucas needed to rein in his anger.

However, not everyone welcomed this transformation. For those who already despised Lucas, his sudden change of heart was just another reason to loathe him. To them, he would always be the same troublemaker, no matter how hard he tried to be better.