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EmpathyLoading...
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By: Marina Leal
I walked to school like a regular day. I greeted all of my many friends and my eyes stopped on a boy that was always by himself. Why does he shut himself to the world? I think to myself. I then go to his desk and try to talk to him.
-- How are you? -- I ask him, but he doesn't reply. I try to push him to open up to me...
-- What's your name? -- I ask again.
-- Demeter, now leave me alone. -- He told me to go away! I see this as a win, because he talked to me! I reach into his pencil case and he flinches... does he have problems at home? I stop and go back to my friends.
On the next day I went to talk to Demeter again, but he was even quieter, if that was even possible. I just said hey and sat next to him so he didn't feel alone. The days passed and I slowly started to warm up to him.
-- Hey! Do you want to eat with me today?
-- Sure... - He says... I feel like he only agreed with me, because he doesn't like to say "no" to people... I still count this as a win, though!
When this period ended, we went to the cafeteria and I started talking to the quiet boy -- Nothing too personal. I don't want to make him uncomfortable.
The next day I asked Demeter if he wanted to hang out after school on the next friday... he said he had to talk with his parents, but he probably wouldn't be able to go. His parents must be really protective of him. I'll just have to go there myself and prove to his parents that I'm a trustful teenager!
I look at myself one last time before I go out.
-- I look good! I'm sure they'll like me right away! -- I grab my car keys and go to Demeter's house. I hear loud voices... Are those his parents screaming? I call him and say I'm outside his house. The shouting stops and he comes out of his house with puffy eyes and a big jacket. I run to hug him, but I stop right in front of him... I don't want to make him more uncomfortable... I feel him hugging me back, but he's shaking and sobbing... I'm glad he accepted my help. I knew there was something going on in his house and even though I still can't do much to help, I'll always be here for him no matter what happens.
-- How are you? -- I ask him, but he doesn't reply. I try to push him to open up to me...
-- What's your name? -- I ask again.
-- Demeter, now leave me alone. -- He told me to go away! I see this as a win, because he talked to me! I reach into his pencil case and he flinches... does he have problems at home? I stop and go back to my friends.
On the next day I went to talk to Demeter again, but he was even quieter, if that was even possible. I just said hey and sat next to him so he didn't feel alone. The days passed and I slowly started to warm up to him.
-- Hey! Do you want to eat with me today?
-- Sure... - He says... I feel like he only agreed with me, because he doesn't like to say "no" to people... I still count this as a win, though!
When this period ended, we went to the cafeteria and I started talking to the quiet boy -- Nothing too personal. I don't want to make him uncomfortable.
The next day I asked Demeter if he wanted to hang out after school on the next friday... he said he had to talk with his parents, but he probably wouldn't be able to go. His parents must be really protective of him. I'll just have to go there myself and prove to his parents that I'm a trustful teenager!
I look at myself one last time before I go out.
-- I look good! I'm sure they'll like me right away! -- I grab my car keys and go to Demeter's house. I hear loud voices... Are those his parents screaming? I call him and say I'm outside his house. The shouting stops and he comes out of his house with puffy eyes and a big jacket. I run to hug him, but I stop right in front of him... I don't want to make him more uncomfortable... I feel him hugging me back, but he's shaking and sobbing... I'm glad he accepted my help. I knew there was something going on in his house and even though I still can't do much to help, I'll always be here for him no matter what happens.