One afternoon during lunch break, I was sitting alone on the bench beneath a shady tree, slowly sipping my favorite chocolate milk from the vending machine.
Then I saw her—Elise.
She walked up slowly, her fingers fidgeting, nervousness all over her face.
"Can I sit next to you?" she asked, almost in a whisper.
I could see how much courage it had taken her to say that.
So I just nodded.
She hesitated for a moment, then sat down beside me.
After a few seconds of silent breathing, calming herself, she finally spoke.
She thanked me.
She said she was sorry—sorry that because of her, my identity was exposed, and now everyone avoided me too.
I told her it wasn't a big deal. That it didn't matter.
But she insisted, and for some reason… tried to comfort me.
No one had done that in a long time.
And I don't know why—but for the first time, I realized how much I needed to hear that.
So I asked softly,
"If you're really that sorry… do you want to be my friend?"
She didn't hesitate.
"Yes. It's a pleasure."
I blinked, a little surprised. Then smiled faintly.
"Then… let's chat."
---
She told me about her life—about her middle-class family, how both her parents loved her deeply, and how she wanted to do well in school so she could support them in the future.
She loved reading fantasy novels online and had a collection she wanted to share with me someday.
As I listened, I realized how different our lives were.
But not in a bad way.
I told her about mine.
How I was always misjudged for being rich.
No matter what I did, people only saw a spoiled brat who didn't understand their struggles—someone born lucky, and unworthy of kindness.
But she didn't judge me.
Not even once.
I could tell—she was truly listening.
---
The next day would be the start of summer holidays.
We exchanged contact numbers before parting that evening.
And that night, as I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, I thought to myself:
"Maybe… I've finally found my first real friend."
---
The next morning, she called me.
"Do you want to come over to my house today?" she asked.
I agreed. My driver dropped me off.
Her home was small, but warm and cozy.
She had a little sister, only ten years old, who ran up to greet me with a smile.
For the first time in a long while, I felt like a normal girl.
We played board games, laughed at silly jokes, and shared snacks.
She said we could do our summer homework together, and asked if I'd come again tomorrow.
Later, her mother came home at six, and though her father was working late, her mom made sure we had something to eat before I left.
She served us snacks and smiled as if I'd always been welcome there.
At one point, Elise asked,
"What about your parents?"
I paused. Then answered truthfully,
"They're… always busy. They rarely come home. Only on special occasions, maybe."
She didn't say anything.
But I could see it in her eyes—pity.
And strangely, it didn't make me feel weak. It just made me feel… seen.
---
When I got home, I went straight to bed and fell asleep like a rock.
The next morning, I packed up everything I'd need for another visit.
That day, we stayed in her room reading a fantasy novel she loved.
I enjoyed the plot, even though it felt like everyone in the story was incredibly rich.
I laughed quietly to myself.
"Funny. I finally feel at peace… inside a world where I'm not the richest one."