The Third Word

THE THIRD WORD Internet connects the whole world. A person from the North Pole can text, call, or video call a person living in the South Pole by downloading an App. Amazing, isn’t it? Well not for me. Internet became my worst nightmare. I was just a teenage girl, living a very normal life, or not. I was in my last year of High School. Although I got good grades and had loving parents, what I didn’t have were friends. For a few years, until I was 15, I used to think that having friends wasn’t a life process anyway so it was okay not to have friends, but ever since I turned 17, I was called different names like ‘loner’ and ‘outcast.’ I needed to make at least one friend. After a lot of attempts of making friends and failing every time, I at least had someone who ate with me during lunch. Stace. She was a new student and kind-hearted. She had friends but they didn’t like the canteen food and always went out to eat, leaving Stace behind, which is why she accompanied me to lunch. Trust me, it was only a week since we had started eating together and we already got used to each other. I wish I had never met her. Three Years Ago- 1st November 2018 “Come on! You can’t be a bore for your whole life.” Stace said while sitting opposite to me at the table, in the canteen. “But that’s going too far okay? I’d rather be a bore my whole life.” I reasoned myself. “You’re going to regret this.” She said with disappointment and sipped on her coffee. “Stace look, I’m not THAT desperate to have friends and I have you.” I said. “Me? Oh god, Gwen. You know we only meet here and I’m in a different class already. I just don’t want you to be a loner alright? At this age, you’re supposed to have a BOYFRIEND but you don’t even have a FRIEND.” She said. “Okay.” I put my hands on the table,” What do you want me to do?” “You know it already. Ethan is the most popular guy. Go talk to him.” She suggested. “You- Are you making fun of me? You even mentioned he’s the school hunk. You’re looking down on me.” I said. “You don’t have the guts to do it, just say so.” She said. “Why him? Why not some simple guy? I just need a friend.” I said. “Come on, he’s awesome okay? Don’t you know about him?” she asked and I shook my head. She didn’t know that I knew a lot about Ethan already. I mean, I would know about someone whom I had admired since two years, wouldn't I? “Damn. He’s the best student in his grade and he’s not egoistic because of his attractiveness. He doesn’t even talk much but if you manage to be his friend, everyone will run after you to be friends with you.” She said. “Are you selling a product or something?” I laughed,” I have seen him once or twice but from a distance. Doesn’t he have a brother? I could approach him instead.” I said, blabbering whatever s**t was coming in my head to prevent her from getting suspicious of me. “Don’t even think about it. He’s the exact opposite of Ethan. He doesn’t talk with his mouth but hands.” She said. The lunch break got over so we headed back to our classes and didn’t talk about it for a few days. Honestly, I was interested in Ethan but I didn’t have the guts to talk to him. I couldn’t talk to any guy without looking down. I was really shy and felt awkward whenever I had to face guys. 5th November Home- After having dinner and chatting with my parents, I went to my room at 10 PM and opened my laptop to study. I usually stayed up late to study because I could concentrate more at night. At around 1 am, I was done studying so I logged on to my i********: account. I knew Ethan’s username since he was one of my favorite YouTubers. He regularly uploaded reaction videos on his channel and I used to watch them all so I knew a lot about him, including the fact that he was wealthy. The first time I started stalking him online was when I was transferred to my new school. I saw him deliver a speech which inspired me a lot. From then on, I did see him sometimes during lunch and while leaving school. He really was attractive. But he wasn't proud of it. He was down to earth and friendly with everyone. But I always thought that he would ignore me if I talked to him, which is why I never dared to. I sat down on my bed and covered myself with the duvet while watching him. Someone asked if he had a girlfriend yet and I sat up to hear his answer. He answered,” I broke up a year ago and since then I didn’t make one. But believe me, friends are better than Boyfriends or Girlfriends. I would rather want a new friend than dating someone. Okay, next one is Julia…” He went on to answer the questions but I kept thinking about his answer. He was right, friends are better. It seemed like the answer was for me. He wouldn’t laugh at me for going to him and asking him to be friends which boosted my confidence. 6th November School- I walked down the corridor confidently, heading towards Ethan’s class. I had made up my mind to ask him to be friends and I was very determined to say it out loud but just when I reached the door, I saw a guy with Ethan. There was just the two of them in the classroom. They were arguing and the other guy punched Ethan’s face, yelling,” I hate this f*****g face of yours, you bastard!”