“Sophia! Get in the car!”

“But I don’t want to go to school.” I replied back to my mother. It was the first day of school, and I was entering the fifth grade. I didn’t really like school, other kids were always mean to me. They would pick on me, call me names, and often make me cry. My mother tells me that it would get better, but so far, it’s only gotten worst.

With all the time I spent in school, I hadn’t made a single friend, I really didn’t understand why. I mean, I was a really nice person. I always did my best to help people when I could, and I shared my snacks too, which was if they didn’t steal it first.

“I am not going to tell you again young lady.”

“Yes ma’am.” I said while opening the car door, even though every muscle in my body was refusing to move, I still was obedient and got in, and just like that, the car was on and we were off to school.

Roughly five minutes had past, and all I could think about was how horrible this year was going to be. I knew my mom felt sorry for me because she started to stroke my hair. She would do that from time to time to try and help comfort me, “It’s going to be okay honey.” She said, but I didn’t bother to answer her; I just looked out the window. The more I thought about school, the sadder and more frighten I got, “Sophia.” My mom started to speak again, “I thought you loved school? What happened to all that enthusiasm about learning and making new friends?” Her words echoed in my heart. It was if she was inside me and had pushed a button to turn on my tears because I immediately began to cry.

“It’s not that I don’t like school, and I’m trying so hard to make friends.” I tried my best to remain calm but I just couldn’t. My voice was cracking, my nose had started to run, and I kept sobbing. “It’s just that no one likes me!” After I made my last outburst, I just felt that I wanted to escape from it all. I then buried my face within my arms and curled up into a beetle position. Then the car had stopped. We must have made it to school and I began to cry even harder. I wasn’t ready for school, I wasn’t ready for the bullies, I wasn’t ready to be alone, I just wasn’t ready for any of it. I then felt my mother rubbing my back so ever gently.

“Sophia.” She whispered. I then uncovered my face to look at her, and before she could say another word, I blurted out.

“Mommy please don’t make me go! Can’t I just stay home with you and Ginger?” I pleaded with all my heart, in hopes that she would allow me to stay home. I looked at her; as I waited to hear her response, but she didn’t say anything. So I continued to try and persuade her, “Everyone is just going to be mean to me. They’re going to call me names like Crybaby, and then laugh at me. I just know it.” I sobbed again, and then returned to my previous position as a beetle and cried all over again.

“Nothing ever remains the same.” My mother finally had spoken, but what she was saying wasn’t exactly what I wanted to hear. “Sophia, when things are this bad there is only good that can come out of it. Have some faith, believe that you’ll make some friends. Even if it is just one, because I know, when you do make some friends, they will be very special friends.” I then raised my head from underneath my arms, only to find a heartwarming smile across my mother’s face. “So how about we give this year a try, before we go knocking it off.”

I really didn’t understand what my mother was trying to tell me, but I knew I liked the idea of having special friends. Even though I still had my doubts. I wanted to believe that there was truth in my mother’s words, so I believed her.

“Okay Mommy.” I said as I tried to return the smile. “I won’t make a fuss about going to school anymore.”

“That’s my big girl.” She said while stepping out the car, and after taking a deep breath, I did the same.

Once I got out of the car, Mommy reached into her pocket and pulled out a hanky. “Come here and let me dry your face.” She said, and she gently brushed off my face and allowed me to blow my nose. After she was done with that, she gave me a big hug and placed a kiss on my forehead.

I didn’t know why, but every time Mommy gave me a hug, it always made me felt all happy and special on the inside. I wonder if all Mothers did that? Either way, when I grow up I’m going to give all my children hugs. That way they will feel special too.

“Have a nice day sweetie.” My mommy said as she got back into the car, and with one last wave goodbye, she was gone.

And there I was alone. Left to face the horrors of school all by myself.