"No Longer Alone": Part 7

I refuse to succumb to Jaehyun’s friendliness. I refuse to admit that we are, inexplicably, friends. But, it’s inevitable. So I decide to be a little more sociable with him in biology. It is a big day for him, after all. But, as I talk and laugh with him I can’t help but feel guilty. Like I’m somehow betraying my best friend.

About nine years ago, in first grade, I met a girl. Her name was Abigail Gonzalez. Abby and I became instant best friends. Inseparable. She was the first person to give me the nickname Brynn. For years, she was my one and only friend, the only person I needed in life. Abigail was my sister, my best friend forever. Or at least that’s what she told me. Until about a year ago, when she moved away. We stayed in touch for about a month after that. But Abby started getting new friends, new people to talk to. Her texts started coming less frequently, until they just stopped. The fact is, she moved on, and I didn’t. Couldn’t. It’s not Jaehyun’s fault, but I can’t help comparing him to her. They’re so similar, it’s almost like I’m replacing her with herself in male form. Kinda creepy honestly.

“Children, I will be calling your names in alphabetical order. Please come up to the front and grab the envelope with your name on it. First up, Allie Adams.”

“Exciting, huh?” Jaehyun whispers to me.

“Sure?”

“You don’t seem very excited.”

“Why would I be? Didn’t we already have this conversation?”

“Yes. I just wanted to see if you were listening to me. Because if you were, you would know that I wasn’t talking about the DNA test, but about if you were excited about art. We have the same class, you know. We’re doing a project on Picasso.”

“Oh. Sorry. Wait, we don’t have the same art class.”

“I know. But that just proves you weren’t listening! What’s wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong!”

“Brynndal Kang,” Mrs. Jenkins calls out.

“I have to go.” I rush to the front and instantly see my name. However, I linger a bit to save myself from having to go back to Jaehyun. Yet my plan backfires when I hear Mrs. Jenkins call out, “Jaehyun Kang.” Shoot, I think. I forgot our names are right next to each other alphabetically. Why couldn’t it be by our first names?

“Hello, Brynndal.”

“Hello, Jaehyun. And don’t call me Brynndal.”

“Okay, Brynn. Do you want me to walk you back to the desk, or are you just gonna stand here?”

“I think I’m just gonna stand here for a little longer.”

“Okay. Well, I’m going to sit down. See you later.”

After about forty more seconds and thousands more stares, I walk back to my desk. I stuff my envelope in my backpack and try to tune out whatever Mrs. Jenkins is babbling about. I’m about to fall into a satisfying sleep when I remember Jaehyun.

“Hey, did you look?” I ask him.

“Do you mean in the envelope that could answer all the questions I’ve ever had and make me no longer feel like that sad orphan kid with no family? No, I did not.”

“Good.”

“Why do you care? I thought you didn’t care about anyone but yourself.”

“I don’t,” I say defensively. “But maybe you're a close second.”

“Did Brynndal Kang just say she cares about me?” He says a little too loud.

“You better shut your mouth before I shut it for you,” I hiss back.

“There’s the Brynn we all know and love.”