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The alarm rings, It’s another school day. I sigh and get up to do my business and get ready for another crappy day.

 

You must be thinking I hate school right now, actually I love to learn, I am a straight A student and a bookworm, the problem is that I’m a social outcast, ignored by most and bullied by some. I can’t seem to fit anywhere, even the nerds even though considered social outcasts by most, they get along fine among themselves, I on the other hand am always alone. Being small doesn’t help either, I am 16 years old high school sophomore and just about 5’4” all of the guys and most of the girls are taller than me.

 

After the shower I dried myself and looked closely at my face reflected by the mirror looking for any sign of facial hair and like always I find nothing. That’s another thing that makes me the laughing stock among the boys at my school, all of them are bulking up and shaving, and me, nothing, no bulking up, no shaving and my voice hasn’t cracked yet, that and that damn incident last year.

 

I wrap my towel around my waist and go to my room to change. Like always I get a baggy t-shirt and a pair of jeans. No I don’t care much about my appearance and why should I? No one will talk to me anyway.

 

I walk downstairs and my mother is setting up the breakfast table. “Good morning, sweetheart. Did you sleep well?” she asked me.

 

“Fine” I grunted

 

“Rough night?” She asked me.

 

“Weird dreams.” I said. It is true, lately I been having strange dreams, but I can’t remember them when I wake up, just a feeling that I had strange dreams, am I crazy or what?

 

I picked up a couple toasts with peanut butter and a glass of orange juice for my breakfast. “You need to eat more than that, son.” My mother admonishes me.

 

“I’m not very hungry mom.”

 

“I still think you should eat more, you are too skinny.”

 

“Mooom.”

 

“I know, I know. But I do worry about you.” She said.

 

“I have to go, mom. See you tonight.” I said giving her a peck on the cheek.

 

“Have a nice day at school, sweety.”

 

“Byeee!”

 

 

###

 

 

It was a pleasant day, and I started to walk towards the school like I do every day that the weather permits after all I live just under a mile away from it.

 

There was a nice breeze and just a couple small white clouds in the sky ‘It’s a shame to spend such a nice day inside a classroom.’ I thought to myself.

 

Walking lost in thought, I suddenly bump into something soft and fall down. I look up and that ‘something’ was the most beautiful girl I ever seen. Looking at her I completely forgot about my compromising position, lost looking at her deep green eyes.

 

“Hey, are you okay?” She asked me.

 

“Huh?”

 

“I asked if you are okay.” She repeated.

 

“I....I guess so.” I said trying to get up.

 

“Here let me help you.” She said while extending her hand to me.

 

I took it and she helped me up. “T... thanks” I murmured.

 

“You are welcome.”

 

“Sorry for bumping into you. I was lost in thought.” I said.

 

“Don’t worry about it, I wasn’t paying attention either.” she said and giggled. “My name is Jessica by the way, what’s yours?”

 

“S.. Sam.”

 

“Nice to meet you Sam, are you walking to school too?”

 

“Yes I’m a high school junior.”

 

“Kewl, I’m a junior too, maybe we will end up in the same classroom. I just moved into town so I don’t know anyone yet. Today it’s my first day at school.”

 

“I’m pretty sure you’ll have lots of friends soon.”

 

“Can we walk together to school?” She asked with pleading eyes.

 

“Sure, I don’t mind the company.” I said. ‘Too bad it will probably be the last time too. After today she will probably ignore me like the rest of the girls.’ I sighed

 

“I hope you don’t think I’m strange asking you this, but aren’t you a little young to be a junior?”

 

“I am 16 years old, Jessica.” I said and sighed again

 

“Really? I thought you didn’t look older than 13, 14 tops.”

 

“I keep getting that, it’s annoying sometimes.”

 

“Oh I’m sorry, I didn’t want to upset you.” She said dejectedly.

 

“Don’t worry, it happens to me all the time, and it won’t be the last I’m sure.”

 

“A late bloomer?”

 

“I guess.” I said shrugging.

 

###

 

A few minutes later we were getting close to the school building and Jessica said. “It was great to have bumped into you, Sam. I feel like I just made my very first friend here.”

 

Hearing that my eyes started to water, It’s been a long time since anyone called himself or herself my friend. “Thanks for saying that Jess, but I don’t think you’ll want to be my friend when the school day is over.”

 

“Why wouldn’t I want to be your friend?” she asked me confused.

 

“You’ll see.” It’s all I said.

 

“I don’t get it. You seem very nice. You are not crazy are you?”

 

That made me smile a little and I said. “No, I’m not.”

 

“Why don’t we meet outside after school and walk home together?”

 

I shrugged and said. “Sure, why not?”

 

“Great, see you later then.” She said giving me a hug and then going inside.

 

 

###

 

 

Getting to my locker this morning wasn’t so bad, I was just tripped and had my books dropped on the floor once. Once I locked the door I was suddenly shoved against it and I heard someone say. “Get out of the way girly-boy.” I just sighed and made my way to homeroom.

 

I sat down on my usual place on the back of the classroom and waited for the bell to ring. ‘It’s going to be a looooong day.’ I thought to myself

 

Once the bell rang, Miss Bell, our teacher came inside, did the roll call and said. “Good morning class. Today we have a new student starting at our school, Miss Jessica Campbell. Please make her feel welcome here. Jessica, you can sit behind Stephanie.” She said pointing to the seat.

 

Jessica looked around before sitting down and our eyes meet. She gave me a smile and sat down. Soon the other girls were chatting with her. ‘That’s it. After that she will never speak to me again.’

 

During the day morning I had 2 other classes with her, I saw her looking at me sometimes but was always surrounded by the other girls wanting to get to know her.”

 

At lunch as usual I avoided the cafeteria, as I usually ended up with food on my hair or my clothes wet because some jock would ‘accidentally’ drop it all over me.

 

The afternoon was pretty calm and soon it was time to go home. I decided to not wait for Jessica as she probably won’t appear anyway.

 

When I got outside, she was already waiting for me. She didn’t seem happy to see me though. ‘I have a bad feeling about this.’ I thought to myself.

 

“Hi... Jess.” I said meekly.

 

“Why didn’t you tell me you were a boy?” She said accusingly.

 

“What?”

 

“I thought you were a girl. You should have told me you were a boy.” She said angrily.

 

“What the hell are you talking about? I never said I was a girl, and my name is Sam, not exactly girly, is it?”

 

“I thought it was short for Samantha.” She said.

 

“See? I told you this morning that before the day was over, you wouldn’t want to be my friend anymore.” I said with tears flowing and started to leave.

 

“Wait.” She said running to me. “I’m sorry. It was thoughtless of me to accuse you like that, and I still want to be your friend.”

 

“Really? Do you still want to be my friend?” I said sobbing.

 

“Of course I do. Come let’s go get something to eat, my treat.”

 

“Okay.” I said meekly.

 

###

 

We walked in silence to a dinner nearby and sat down in a booth, Soon a waitress came by and said. “Good afternoon girls, what can I do for you today?”

 

“I’ll just want a tuna salad and a diet coke please.” Jess said.

 

“And you miss?”

 

“Huh? The same I guess.” I said deciding to not to correct her and cause her embarrassment.

 

“Okay, so its 2 tuna salads and 2 diet cokes, right?”

 

“Right.” we both said at the same time.

 

After the waitress left, Jess looked at me and said. “The waitress thought you were a girl.“

 

“I noticed.” I said and sighed.

 

“Why didn’t you say anything?”

 

“And cause her embarrassment? It happens all the time, I’m getting tired of correcting people.”

 

“Are you sure you are a boy?” She asked me.

 

“Yes I’m sure, do I have to prove it to you?” I asked starting to get angry.

 

“I’m sorry. It’s just that you look so much like a girl that it’s hard to believe you are a boy.”

 

“I think it has to do with my puberty.” I said.

 

“What about it?”

 

“It didn’t start yet.”

 

“Have you seen a doctor about it? It’s not normal to get to 16 without starting puberty.”

 

“No I haven’t. Do you think I should?”

 

“Of course you should. What if there is something wrong with you? The sooner you find out, the sooner you can get it fixed.”

 

“Now you are starting to worry me.”

 

“My parents are doctors, my dad is a GP and my mother is a Pediatrician. If you want you could talk to them first.”

 

“You think they would talk to me?”

 

“I don’t see why not.”

 

“When do you think I should talk to them?”

 

“My mother must be home already, why not right after we leave here?”

 

“This soon?”

 

“Hey, no time like the present.

 

“You are not trying to wind me up, are you?” I asked her.

 

“Why would you think that?”

 

“Because I’m not used to people being nice to me, that’s all. I’m more used to people ignoring me or trying to beat me up.”

 

“You are having a hard time, aren’t you?”

 

At that moment the waitress get back with our orders so I just nodded. We ate in silence because I didn’t know what to say. It’s been so long since someone my age treated me like a friend that I just wanted to savor that feeling.

 

###

 

 

After we finished eating, Jess paid the bill and we walked to her home, once inside she yelled “MOM, I’M HOME!”

 

“Hey sweety, how was school today, her mom asked walking out of the kitchen.

 

“It was great mom, I also made a new friend. Sam, this is my mom. Mom, meet Sam.”

 

“It’s a pleasure to meet you Sam. I hope my daughter has treating you well.”

 

“It’s a pleasure to meet you Dr. Campbell. She has been great to me.”

 

“That’s good to hear, so are you staying for dinner?”

 

“We just ate a tuna salad, mom.” Jess said.

 

“Well, dinner will only be served at 6 so there is time till then for you to get hungry. Why don’t you girls go make your homework and I’ll call you when dinner is served.”

 

“Huh... mom?”

 

“Yes sweety?”

 

“Sam is not a girl.”

 

“What?” She asked and looked at me

 

“Sam is a boy.”

 

“Oh I’m so sorry, Sam.” She said to me.

 

“Actually that’s why I brought him here, mom. He said his puberty didn’t start yet.”

 

“Is that true?” She asked me.

 

“Yes ma’am.”

 

“My daughter made you open up to her, didn’t she?”

 

“I don’t know how she did it, but she makes you want to trust and talk to her.” I said.

 

“How old are you Sam?”

 

“16 and half ma’am.”

 

“No mam me young man, call me Cathy.” She admonished me.

 

“Okay ma’... I man Cathy.”

 

“That’s better. Why don’t we call your parents and ask them to come have dinner with us?”

 

“It’s just me and my mom, my father died when I was 12 in a car accident.”

 

“I’m sorry, Sam.” Both Jess and her mom said at the same time.

 

“Don’t worry about that, it was a long time ago.” I said.

 

I gave her my home number and soon she was talking with my mother while me and Jess were studying in the living room.

 

“Your mother will be here by 6, Sam. I think Rich will be here by then too.”

 

“Rich?” I asked.

 

“My father.” Jess told me.

 

“Oh great, I just met the girl today and she is introducing me to her parents already. This way I’ll be married by Friday.” I said trying to look serious and Jess started to laugh, and of course that made me laugh too.

 

 

###

 

 

We did our homework and Jess went upstairs to take a shower and change. I could use one too, but I didn’t have a change of clothes. When she came back downstairs she was wearing a tank top and tight shorts. ‘God she is hot.’

 

We went to the kitchen and asked Cathy if she needed any help. “Do you know how to cook?” She asked me.

 

“Yes ma’.. I mean Cathy. I often cook at home. It’s something that relaxes me.”

 

“Okay, then you can help me by chopping the vegetables that are on the table.”

 

“Yes, ma’am.” I said and did a mock salute.

 

Both mother and daughter started to giggle and I went to work on my duty.

 

With everyone helping, cooking became very fun and a pleasant activity, and before we noticed everything was ready and it was almost 6. We set the table want went to the living room wait for the rest to arrive. Like magic, as soon we sat down, Jess’ father arrived and less than a minute later my mom arrived too. Introductions were made and soon we were all having a very nice dinner.

 

“Everything is tastes great tonight Cathy.” Dr. Campbell said.

 

“I had great help.” She said looking at us.

 

“I hoped my son didn’t give you any trouble.” My mom said.

 

“Mooom.”

 

“Son?” I head Dr. Campbell ask.

 

‘Not another one.’ I thought to myself.

 

“I thought Sam was your daughter.” he said.

 

“Actually hon, that’s why Jess brought Sam here today. She met him when she was going to school today and they are in the same homeroom. She got him to open up to her and found out his puberty didn’t start yet.” Cathy said.

 

“How the heck she managed to get all that out of the poor boy?” Dr. Campbell asked impressed.

 

“What can I say? I have a gift.” Jess simply said like it’s no big deal.

 

“So, Jess, why did you bring him to us today?” He asked.

 

“Well, daddy, you know, it isn’t normal to someone to not have like started their puberty when they were over 16, right?”

 

“Right.” He said.

 

“So... Sam is 16 and half years old, but look like he is 13 or 14, so I thought you could like answer some questions or direct him to someone to check him up.”

 

“And I invited his Carla so she could be aware of what’s happening if she didn’t know already.” Cathy said.

 

“I had no idea he was worried about it, he never said anything.” My mother said.

 

“Mom, you already have a lot to worry about and I didn’t want to worry you.” I said.

 

“Oh sweetheart, I’ll always worry about you. You are my baby.” She said hugging me.

 

“Not in front of others mom, please.” I said blushing.

 

I looked at Jess and she was smiling. ‘At least she isn’t laughing at me.’ I thought.

 

 

###

 

 

After dinner, Dr. Campbell said he wanted to see me at the hospital he worked at 8:00 in the morning for a checkup.

 

We said our goodbyes and I promised Jess I would call her tomorrow.

 

Soon we were home and I went upstairs to have a shower and sleep thinking of the appointment tomorrow. ‘I hope there is nothing wrong with me, but if there is I’m sure they will be able to fix it, right?’

   

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  To be continued....