Sarah’s eyes had pinned on the three girls sitting before her. Squinting, she felt jealousy clawing up her throat as she watched their blonde, shining hair falling to their waists, their long, lean legs bare under the short skirts, smooth skin adorned with perfect makeup, and colored nails swiftly moving on the phone keyboards.
But the one Sarah stared at was Bella, the most beautiful and popular girl in the school. She envied her straight hair, tiny waist, flawless skin, and model-like figure. Sitting in the cafeteria, in the middle of high-schoolers eating and blabbering, Sarah could see nothing but Bella and her shining beauty.
Sarah had never been so pretty or popular. She hated her curly, entangled hair, dark eyes, overweight body, and baggy clothes. What would she give to be as beautiful as Bella? Sarah had spent nights wondering about it, and she knew the answer by heart – she’d give everything.
It was an ordinary afternoon in school, and after everyone scattered toward home or cafes, Sarah went into the computer room to work on her essay.
She froze at the doorway. All the computers were occupied, and the only empty seat was next to Bella, who had fixed her eyes on the screen, not even noticing Sarah.
Inhaling, Sarah flopped on the chair, and while opening the word document, her insides kept screaming – “You are sitting next to Bella! Take this chance; you’ve always wanted to be her friend!”
But she couldn’t move as if her body had forgotten how to function.
Three minutes of unbearable silence passed, occasionally broken by the sound of typing or coughing.
“Hey.”
Sarah thought she imagined before she heard the voice again.
“Hey, Sarah, right?”
She turned, trying to tame her expression, but shock struck her when she saw Bella smiling at her.
“Yes, Sarah,” she mumbled. “How… How do you know my name?”
“You’re one of the best students at school,” Bella twinkled, and her eyes sneaked to the computer. “I wanted to ask for help if that’s okay.”
Sarah wanted to shout that, of course, it was okay. It was more than okay! What could be better than helping the most pretty girl?
“Sure,” she replied calmly.
“I’m writing a math test online; I want to get accepted on a curse,” a nervous smile rose to Bella’s lips. “Can you help solve one problem? I just can’t seem to find the answer.”
It was the first time Bella had talked to her, and it was the first time the most popular girl had shown her weak side – she had let her mask of confidence break and reveal vulnerability.
“Of course,” Sadah dragged her chair closer to Bella’s computer.
The problem was too easy for her, and before she knew it, she had moved onto the next one and then the next, reaching the end of the test within minutes.
“Can you imagine our math teacher’s face if she saw what we’re doing?” Sarah’s asked and grimaced, mocking their strict, elderly teacher.
Bella laughed out loud before covering her mouth.
“And she’d say we’re ruining our futures,” Sarah added, moving her finger just like the teacher did, making the girl titter again.
“She does exactly like that!” Bella exclaimed. “God, you’re so funny.”
Suddenly, she gasped, pointing at the screen as Sarah finished the test.
“Oh, I got the highest score!” her eyes widened. “More like you did!”
She leaned in, and before Sarah could realize, Bella’s arms wrapped around her. With her heart pounding, Sarah hugged back, feeling Bella’s subtle lavender scent.
“Thank you so much!” honesty poured from Bella’s eyes. “Now, I can take the curse! I don’t know what I’d do without you. You are amazing!”
Bella kept shaking her head with amazement. “You are so smart, and you know so much! I’m so jealous!”
Jealous? Sarah could believe her ears. Bella jealous of her?
“I wouldn’t even think before changing my brightness for your beauty,” Sarah replied quietly.
“There’s nothing wrong about your appearance,” Bella took her hands. “Wanna know a secret? I’d do anything to be as smart and funny as you.”
The girls smiled at each other, and Sarah felt that Bella’s every word was genuine.
“Wanna have coffee together?” Bella asked, but before Sarah could reply, she took her hand and sprung from the chair. “I’m not accepting “no.” Let’s go! I haven’t enjoyed someone’s company so much in a while! You’re so smart and funny.”
Laughing, Sara nodded and followed the girl as they ran out of the room.
The birds chirped endlessly, jumping on the branches. People strolled in the streets under the subtle sunshine, soaking the warmth and fresh air.
Sarah licked the ice cream and wiped her chin as Bella tittered at the melting cream crawling down her chin.
“You’re so cute,” Bella pinched Sarah’s cheek and ate the last bits of her ice cream.
A few weeks had passed, and none of them realized how they had become best friends, spending every day together, studying, shopping, or going to cafes. Now, Sarah’s everyday life wasn’t boring, but she even looked forward to waking up every morning to start her day.
And Bella had shown her true self – kind, caring, and loving. The cool-girl image was just a facade; a mask Bella wore to fit her status at school. But next to Sarah, she was just an ordinary girl with quirks and insecurities.
“You know,” Bella began, gazing at Sarah. “Up until now, I only wanted beautiful friends. That was so stupid of me! Those beautiful friends of mine are shallow, and I don’t have anything in common with them.”
Bella took Sarah’s hands, her eyes glittery with tears.
“You are the most beautiful person I have ever met,” Bella uttered quietly. “You are so kind; you have such wonderful energy, and your eyes shine so brightly. When they say that beauty comes from within, that’s really true. I’m ashamed of myself and how I’ve acted.”
Sarah smiled, warmth pouring in her heart.
“If it’s time for confessions,” they both giggled. “I have to admit that at first, I wanted to be your friend just because you look so good and you’re so popular,” Sarah looked down from embarrassment. “But now I don’t care about your looks at all! I just think about how much fun we have together.”
As Sarah looked up, she saw a tear tracing Bella’s cheek, her lips curved with gratitude, her eyes shimmering like stars.
Sarah’s heart got filled with love as she gently brushed off the tear from Bella’s cheek. Then she leaned in, hugging the girl. Bella wound her arms around Sarah, too, and they sat on the bench, hugging tightly as if aiming to never let go.
“Wanna go to my house and study?” Bella suggested. Sarah nodded, twinkling.
The sun passed the zenith, coloring the silhouettes of two friends with deep orange as Sarah and Bella walked down the street, laughing and holding hands.