The Friends Who Never Left

The Fourth Friend..

As Sophia walked home that day, she kept thinking about how nice Michael was to her and about meeting his friends. That night, she wondered if his friends would be as nice as Michael was.

She had always found it difficult to make friends, so the thought of meeting new people made her a little nervous. Still, she was curious to know what they were like.

The next day, Sophia arrived at school much earlier than usual. She kept thinking about meeting Michael's friends. She wondered whether they would accept her and whether she would feel comfortable around them.

After class that day, Michael forgot about Sophia meeting his friends and was packing up his bag to go to the library with his friends before Sophia came.

David and Olivia were already waiting for him.

“Hey, Michael, let's go,” David said.

Michael picked up his bag and was about to leave when he heard someone call his name.

“Hey, Michael,” Sophia said.

Michael turned around and smiled.

“Hi, Sophia. How are you doing?” Michael asked.

“I’m fine. How about you?” Sophia replied.

“I’m good.”

Michael suddenly remembered that Sophia had planned to meet his friends.

“Oh, Sophia! I almost forgot. You wanted to meet my friends today.”

David looked at Michael.

“Michael, we have been waiting for you,” David said as he came to call Michael and then saw Sophia standing beside him.

Michael smiled.

“Sophia, these are my friends I told you about yesterday—David and Olivia,” Michael said.

“Nice to meet you,” Olivia said and extended her hand for a handshake.

Sophia smiled and shook her hand.

“Nice to meet you too.”

David also smiled.

“It's nice to meet you, Sophia. Michael told us about you.”

Sophia looked at Michael and smiled. She was beginning to feel less nervous.

“So, friends, can we let her join our gro—” Michael began.

Before Michael could complete the statement, Olivia jumped in.

“Sure, that would be a great idea!”

Michael laughed.

David nodded in agreement.

“Yeah. The more, the better.”

Deep down, Olivia was so happy that she had gotten a female friend among their group. She had always enjoyed being friends with David and Michael, but having another girl around made her especially happy.

Sophia smiled shyly.

“Thank you. I would really like to be your friend.”

“Then it's settled,” Michael said. “You're officially one of us now.”

They all laughed.

For the first time since she arrived at the school, Sophia no longer felt like she was alone.

The four friends did not go to the school library again. Instead, they went under the mango tree to introduce themselves to their new friend.

They sat together under the cool shade of the tree and began talking about themselves.