Polaris, Chapter 3 "That Scholarship Kid" Pt. 2

Chapter 3, Part 2 

“That’s me,” I replied, trying to smile back. “Nice to meet you, Rachel.”

“You too. So, what do you do in your free time?”

Unsure what to say, I paused for a moment and surrounded myself with thoughts. I don't really have many hobbies or interests outside of art and music, and I'm not sure she'll understand. But she's looking at me expectantly, so I blurt out the first thing that comes to mind.

“I like stars..." I added hesitantly, “Polaris, the Northern Star, specifically. I guess it makes me feel less alone in this world. Sometimes I talk to her too.”

Her head bobs along like this is totally normal and smiles. “Yeah, that’s cool, Amber. I love looking at the stars too. They're just so pretty and mysterious, it's fun to imagine what else is out there.”

I was taken aback by her response and felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe she likes me, or at least, she doesn't mind me. And as I start to talk to her more, I realise that we have a lot in common. No one has ever offered to be friends with me before, not in this way. But Rachel seems nice enough. So I nod along, hoping maybe this will be the start of something good.

As the lesson slowly draws to an end, I decided to show her my necklace. I take it out from under my shirt and hold it up, letting it catch the light.

“This is my lucky charm,” I tell her. “It's from my mother. Or at least, I’d like to think that it is. I don't really know.”

She looks at it, her eyes wide and curious. “Oh it's beautiful, Amber,” she says. “Did she give it to you?”

I shrug, feeling a little self-conscious. “I don't know,” I admit. “It just showed up on my windowsill one day, and I felt like it was meant for me. I wear it all the time, to remind me of her and of Polaris.”

She nods with a smile, understanding. “I see, that's really sweet. I'm sure she misses you, and that she's proud of you too.”

I'm not so sure, but I appreciate her words. It's nice to think that someone cares about me and that I'm not completely alone in this world. And as we sit there, talking and laughing, I feel a sense of hope and possibility. Maybe things will be okay, after all. Maybe I can have a normal life, with new friends, and maybe I'll even find my mother someday.

To be continued...