The ‘Friend’ By Aditi Nair, 13 Midlothian, VA I looked around as I spotted Kassie.Why didn’t shesave me a seat?I thought. She always sits with herotherfriends, and most of them don’t likeme. “Kassie! Where can I sit?” “Well, hello to you too. Just over there, by the teachers,” replied Kassie. She casually swung her arm to the seat she was saving, “This seat is taken, though.” I glared at her. There was no question that our friendship dynamic was well…chaotic, but even so, we were still friends. “I can’t sit near the teachers, Kass. I can’t, and I won’t.” “Well…too bad. You came too late, so yeah.” “But there is a seat, right there. Literally right there–” “Just go Lucy.” I stormed off, and back to the classroom. Throwing my stuff onto the empty desk, I looked around to see a girl in tears. I could’ve just stared at her or ignored her existence, but I didn’t. “Hey, you good,” I asked, as I reached into my backpack for food. Through tears and sniffles, she replied. “Been better.” “Clearly!” I laughed. As the lunch period came to an end, I forgot about Kassie and her friends…just kidding, I didn’t, but I tried.