The Pen That Changed My Life - Chapter 9 – Rumors

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The rainy season had arrived.

Days passed quickly, and before I realized it, almost a month had gone by since the science project.

My life hadn't changed much.

I still sat by the window.

I still spoke only when necessary.

The only difference was that my days no longer felt as quiet as they once had.

Narin had become a familiar part of them.

Not every moment.

Just enough to be noticed.

One morning, I entered the classroom to find Narin already arguing with two boys.

"I didn't take your notebook," he insisted.

"You definitely did."

"I borrowed it."

"You forgot to return it!"

"I was going to!"

The three of them burst into laughter.

I shook my head and walked to my seat.

A few seconds later, Narin noticed me.

"Morning."

"You look sleepy."

"I studied late."

"For a test?"

"No."

"Then why?"

"I couldn't sleep."

He nodded thoughtfully.

"Hmm..."

Before I could ask what he was thinking, the teacher entered.

During lunch break, I stayed in the classroom as usual.

Narin came in carrying his lunch.

"Mind if I sit here?"

"You never wait for my answer."

He laughed.

"That's true."

As we ate, he kept talking about a football match that had happened after school the previous day.

I didn't understand half of what he was saying.

He noticed the confused look on my face.

"You don't watch football, do you?"

"No."

"What do you do after school?"

"Go home."

"That's it?"

"I play with my little sister."

He smiled.

"You're a good brother."

I shrugged.

"I just like spending time with her."

He didn't tease me.

He simply nodded, as if that answer made perfect sense.

The next day, something unexpected happened.

As I was putting my books into my bag, I heard two classmates whispering behind me.

"Those two have been spending a lot of time together."

"I know."

"Narin never sits with anyone this often."

"Maybe they've become best friends."

I pretended not to hear them.

When I looked toward Narin, he was talking to another group of classmates.

He hadn't heard a thing.

For some reason...

I was relieved.

I wasn't embarrassed to be his friend.

I just didn't like being the subject of other people's conversations.

That afternoon, we walked out of school together.

"You've been really quiet today," Narin said.

"I always am."

"No."

He looked at me carefully.

"Today feels different."

I was surprised.

Most people couldn't tell the difference between my normal silence and the silence that meant something was on my mind.

Narin could.

"It's nothing," I replied.

He didn't ask again.

Instead, we continued walking side by side.

Sometimes...

The people who cared the most weren't the ones who had all the answers.

They were simply the ones who noticed when something had changed.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ731gKXmetL

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