The day imprinted on me. First time I laid eyes on her.

  Thirty of us plus myself had arrived into the room of our Form 1 class. An inch shorter than I was. Impossible to miss blue eyes, blond hair long down the back, well-shaped mouth. What to expect of a thin female body.

  Didn’t know each other standing as we were asked to say our names in class. Instructed to by an early forty’s female teacher, black and somewhere on the fat side.

  ‘Leslie,’ answered the voice to my left.

  A few days past and as I walked in the school yard was when she walked up, ‘Hi, we don’t know each other very well, let’s be friends.’

  Was one eleven year old to another. Stunned me, but keeping it together, ‘Yeah I guess so.’

  From there was set: talked together, helped each other’s school work and the second thing was to be important.

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  During a class test asked answers from me. It’s a test not school work. Refused although we remained friends. Since the earlies when first arriving, blondie shows uncanny ability to make friends. Good social skills no doubt. A skill envied by me, so hard with my quiet self.

  As said we were friends. But some things I didn’t like about Leslie. Leslie became a mischievous child, or was she all along? Playing around the class, even going so far as to lie to teachers if she had to – like her friends did.

  Kept this to myself for fear of losing a friend in the few I had. More happiness than none.

  Then came the time of a major test. Revision is a part of my school life. Leslie was of a different make up. Sitting next to me whispered, ‘Could you answer a question.’

  Happened before but did not spare me shock. For I was sure the girl understood that it could not go her way. Spoken quietly not so much as to alert the teacher, but a fear I had. Feared for the good impression teacher had of me. ‘Sorry Leslie, it’s a test.’

  The girl had a desperation I doubt her young mind understood. Beckoned at me during test. Seen out the corner of my eye, avoided turning my head at her.

  After school’s end outside the gate we spoke. Bitterness in her face and below that clinging to the rest of her body. ‘Why didn’t you help me in test today?!’

  Breaking rules is help? This your kind of friendship? She wasn’t expecting good marks. I felt apologetic. ‘Sorry I didn’t do it. Next time.’

  Her face took an even harsher expression. The eyes could burn like a sun powered magnifying glass. ‘I thought you were my friend. Won’t make the mistake again.’

  Turned her back to me and walked away, getting further and further. My body could only stay still and watch the blond hair swaying. Knew then I lost a friend, Leslie.

  Author’s note – reworked from a hand written English class lesson many years ago. My ongoing effort in this regard.

  Date - 7 April 2020