⏱ ~3 min reading
On Monday, a new boy came to Ivanka's class. His name was Nazar. He was thin, with dark hair, and a backpack with a small dinosaur embroidered on it.
The teacher sat him down at the last desk by the window. Nazar placed his notebooks very neatly — one on top of the other, evenly. He opened his pencil case, took out a pencil. He didn't look at anyone.
During the break, everyone ran into the hallway. Ivanko and his friends were playing catch-up by the window. They were running, pushing, laughing. And Nazar was sitting at his desk. Alone. He was looking out the window, where a sparrow was jumping on the windowsill.
Ivanko stopped. He looked at Nazar and felt something in his chest — like a small string pulling.
«"He must be sad.".
But going first is scary. What if Nazar doesn't want to talk? What if he looks at you and says, "Get out of here"? What if he laughs?
Ivanko returned to his friends. But the game was no longer going well. He kept looking at the desk by the window.
After the third lesson — during a long break — Ivanko took out his sandwich from his backpack. Mom made it today with cheese and tomato. And suddenly he thought: two sandwiches. One in a package, one separately, in foil. Mom sometimes does this because she knows that Ivanko likes to share.
Ivanko took both sandwiches and went to the desk by the window.
His legs were becoming as heavy as bricks. His heart was pounding in his throat. But he kept walking.
"Hello," said Ivanko, stopping next to Nazar. "I'm Ivanko. Do you want a sandwich? With cheese.".
Nazar looked up. They were gray, like the sky before rain. And a little scared.
“Hello,” he said quietly. “I’m Nazar.”.
— I know.
Nazar smiled with the corners of his lips.
— Thank you. May I?
"Take it. Mom put some extra, I won't eat it myself.".
Nazar carefully unwrapped the foil and took a small bite.
"Delicious. Your cheese is so delicious.".
“Where are you from?” Ivanko asked and sat down next to him, on the next chair.
— From Chernivtsi. Dad was transferred to a new job.
— I have never been to Chernivtsi.
— It's beautiful there. We have old houses with carved balconies. And the tram runs.
They talked to the bell. Nazar told about his little sister, who is still small. Ivanko told about his dog Tuzyk, who likes to chase his tail. It turned out that both of them love dinosaurs. Nazar has a backpack with a triceratops, Ivanko has a book about tyrannosaurs.
When the bell rang, Nazar was already smiling for real.
After class they walked together to the exit. Nazar adjusted his backpack and said:
— Ivanko. Thank you for coming.
— But why?.
"I wouldn't have dared myself. I thought no one would notice me.".
Ivanko shrugged his shoulders:
— I noticed you.
At home, my mother asked how things were going at school.
"You know, Mom," said Ivanko, "we have a new one. Nazar. He's very good. Only quiet.".
— And who made friends with him?
"I am," Ivanko replied. "I came first.".
Mom smiled and said nothing. She just patted her son on the head.
💡 The first step is true courage.