Revelation

Caroline was unable to sit still, with a constant grin painted over her face. She sat down with a content look on her face, looking at the window, and not paying attention to her food at all. She only touched it every few seconds or so. I sighed, not even looking at her. This morning, she got a message from Chris, saying he's coming for a visit.

I might as well head on without her. 

We used to go to school together, since that was her request. But, I noticed that the day was much more peaceful as I walked alone. The tress were greener and the weather was nicer. But, the scene was made special by a sight I had never seen before. It was Alicia Rivers walking down the street with a black umbrella. Her hair fell down her back every time she took a step forward, but her eyes were focused on a different path. She was almost running. I didn't even notice that my legs were already moving. I caught up to her soon, which was understandable since she was much shorter than me. 

''Good morning,'' I said, trying my best not to sound overly excited. 

I could see that my greeting shocked her, as her foot skipped one beat.

''Oh, good morning,'' she said and smiled. 

She almost poked my eye out with her umbrella, but I swiftly moved back. 

''I'm sorry,'' she said and turned around, ''are you hurt?''

''I'm fine,'' I said, brushing my hair aside, ''thank you.''

She took her umbrella and closed it when we approached the entrance. Her hair danced around her face, touching her red cheeks. She touched her white socks, pulling them up as she went towards the stairs. Putting her hands in the pockets of her skirt, she pulled out a piece of white paper. 

''Today we have class on the first floor,'' she said as she looked around, ''but, where?''

''Oh, right,'' I said, ''you're still not familiar with the school. I'll show you.''

She seemed pleased that I was there, but the feeling was mutual. 

We took a left turn and found ourselves at the end of the hall with one white door looking at us. There were colorful pictures hanging on walls around us, and tiny shoes neatly placed next to us. The walls were painted over with scribbles of green turtles and pink flowers. I opened the door and looked at an empty classroom filled with white desks and big windows. The bookshelves were placed on the left side of the classroom while the right side and the back were completely filled with windows. 

''We're early,'' I said. 

''No, '' she said, ''we're just on time.'' 

She was standing in the only dark corner of the room and she looked at me, like she was asking for a favor. 

Oh, right. 

I went forward, and stood in front the window next to the front desk. Closing the dark curtain, I could already feel her behind me.

''Thank you, '' she said. 

''How did you do it before?'' I asked. 

She sat down and put a dictionary on the wooden surface, speaking and turning the pages at the same time. I sat next to her and put my hand on the desk, resting my cheek against it as I looked at her. 

''Well,'' she said, ''I would usually ask someone else or wait until the teacher shows up.''

''Is that so,'' I replied. 

I looked at the blackboard and then back at her. 

So she was all alone. 

''Well, I guess you don't have to worry about that anymore.'' I said. 

Her eyes widened, and she raised her eyebrows, just a little. She laughed, showing a row of pearly white teeth. 

''I guess I don't,'' she said. 

We talked for a while after that. I found out she was the eldest daughter with two younger brothers and two sisters. She complained a few times, but I could see she really loved her family. I talked to her about Chris and Caroline, after which I promised her I would introduce her to both of them. The bell rang, and soon students came, one after the other. Our talk was interrupted by fellow classmates, but I sat next to her until the end of the day. I felt strangely calm with her, as if I knew her for a long time. But there was one thought that made me glad. 

Alicia Rivers wasn't alone anymore.