Exercise 2 - Story 1: "Stationery Boy"

1-Sentence Pitch

“A start of a new friendship, between two unsuspecting people from the same classroom.”

Story

“Can I borrow a stapler?”

I stretched out my hand out as I asked my friend, very much expecting her to dig out a stapler from her pencil case.

Without even lifting her eyes off the paper she was drawing with, the wispy-haired girl promptly replied, “You know I don't have one. Go ask him instead.”

'Him'.

My mind immediately registered the word. For some reason, I knew for certain who my friend meant. It was definitely him; the one we nicknamed the 'Stationery Boy'.

“Eh, but I am not sur.....”

My voice trailed off when I noticed the lack of attention my friend was giving me. At this point of time, she cared less about anything except for her task on hand. That was how focused she can get, and being her friend for five years, I knew that side of her very well.

I can't say the same for my friend though. She should have known that I am especially shy when it comes to interacting with the opposite gender. I know it may sounds a little absurd that me - a fifteen years old girl, is still so shy and timid, but that is the way I am. And I can't help it.

I crossed my eyebrows and silently pumped my fists a little in the air. “Come on Samantha, you can do this! He is a fellow classmate after all, so how difficult can it be?”

I forced my body to budge, and it cringed in retaliation before finally moving – in what seemed like an almost robotic-like and awkward manner. My destination was merely a few desks away, but the distance felt like it would take forever.

Eventually I was there, standing within an arm's reach from my target. The Stationery Boy was seated in his chair, and he turned his direction towards me. This was the first time I have ever looked at him straight in the eyes, ever since he was transferred to my class 2 weeks ago. Various stationeries, ranging from the common 2B pencils to stuff that I have never laid my sights on before, covered almost the entirety of his personal desk. They don't call him by his nickname for nothing, I guessed.

Suddenly it dawned upon me. I do not know his real name!

“Erm... ah... I... err...”

I flustered with nervousness and confusion. I could hear myself stuttering, but all I could do was stood there and continue fumbling on my lines. “I messed up!” I thought to myself and was prepared to retreat back to my desk, when suddenly a male voice gently stopped me in my tracks.

“Do you want me to stapler that for you?”

“Ho... how did you know?”

A wave of curiosity swallowed my state of panic, and the Stationery Boy then pointed at the stack of papers in my hands. “I kind of guessed it,” he weakly smiled as he continued. “Since no one really talks to me besides borrowing stationeries, haha...”

He said no more, and silently stapled my documents together.

“Thank you” was all I could say in response.

I have gotten what I seek, and it was the cue for me to leave. However, there was something I felt I should do, something that was urging my heart to act. This will be the very moment where I shall discard my old ways!

Hence I took a deep breath and...

“I am Samantha, and can you tell me your name?!”

The Stationery Boy was caught by surprise, but a warm smile gradually emerged on his face.