I walk into the classroom. To my surprise, there is a girl sitting in the very desk beside the one where I usually sit. You may think what's surprising in it, but for me it's the most surprising thing that could ever happen. Do you know why? That is because it's me. It's me the depressed, lifeless, irritating, razor-sharp tongued girl with no friends and family who sit there. People generally avoid me and I return them back the same attitude. Flattering people for a bit of attention? Sorry, I'd better be alone.

I slowly walk towards my chair judging the expression of the girl sitting there. I do not recognize her. Not that I know most of the faces in my class but this face...it's completely different. I'm sure of the fact that I've never seen her before. I feel sorry for her to even imagine how less she knows about me. Or else she wouldn't have made the decision of sitting in the chair right next to mine. Nevertheless, I go and sit beside her. I don't expect her to start up a conversation and I'm sure that I won't. After all I'm not used to talking much. I take out my books pushing aside those thoughts from my mind. That is when she finally speaks.
"Hello" she says.
All I do is stare at her for probably one whole minute. I don't reply. Not that I don't want to but the problem is I don't know how to.
"May I know your name?" she continues.
I fumble. I am not used to conversations. All I know is how to pass a few sharp comments when people try to tease me thinking that I'm way too weak.
"Faith" I reply.
- "Faith? Like having 'faith'?"
Well that's a common question. I'm used to it. I brace up myself a bit, preparing my sarcastic undertone. Just in case. But then I decide to go a bit slow on her. For some reason I feel that she is different. She won't treat me like a dog after all.
"Not that I'm personifying the word faith or something. You got it right! My name is Faith"
- "Uncommon name. My name's Ariana by the way."
- "Cool."
That's the only word I could manage.

The class begins and she starts up  short conversations now and then. Today I smile. And by smile, I mean a genuine smile. Not one of those sarcastic ones I usually put up. She makes me smile...after two whole years. Not that she is absolutely not irritating. But the way she is, I like her. She has that charm in her which was missing in my life since the past two years. After the bell for dismissal rings, she asks me something.
She says,"Will you be my friend?"
All I could do is stare again. No one has ever asked me this question. Never ever. All they would do is stare at me with loathe. And I'm used to it. What I'm not used to is this. When I realize what I'm actually doing, I become red hot out of embarrassment. Even before I could control myself, tears had started rolling down my cheeks. And that's again a big shock. This is the first time I'm crying since my parents' death. I don't know why, but since that day, how much empty and heartbroken may have I felt, I've never been able to cry out loud. Maybe that's the way I am. But today it happened. I can again feel the salty tears slipping down.I have almost forgotten the way it feels when you cry. I feel messed up. Embarrassed, shocked. My head swirls. I close my eyes.

Suddenly, I feel a hand on my shoulder. A warm touch. I open my eyes. It was she. Ariana. I stifle a sob.
I whisper a "Yes" to her. Then we walk towards my hostel together. She will be sharing my room from now on. After all she is the only friend I have got. A single companion. But trust? I don't know. And I don't understand. Am I supposed to trust anyone? Even myself?