Why do you prefer to be alone? You live a solitary life. You smile at yourself, but not at anyone else.
Other students give her a wide berth, as if afraid she would stain their neat uniforms. Nobody wanted to be her friend. Once I saw her with tears in her eyes. I asked her, “Lettuce, what’s wrong?” But she quickly put on smile and simply said, “I’m OK. Don’t worry about me.” I finally left her in the school backyard. She didn’t know that I knew she cried alone there for a long time that day.
What did they do to hurt you, Lettuce? What made you cry? I wish I could help you.
“Hi, Lettuce!” I greeted her one morning as she was entering the classroom. She just smiled and went straight to her chair. Most students in my class don’t like her just because her uniform is always shabby and because she never tries to socialize with others in or outside school.
I wish I could get to know you better, Lettuce. It must be hard living in your own world, where people see you as an alien. But you shouldn’t let them get you down. Just because you’re different from the others, it doesn’t mean they’re better than you. Don’t be sad, and don’t shun them.
One day I went home late. I walk to and from school every day since my house is within walking distance. When I crossed a road near my house, I saw Lettuce at the red light. I approached her and asked, “Hi, Lettuce! What are you doing here?” She looked surprised (did I detect a bit of embarrassment?) to see it was me, but she replied, “I’m working. I sell candies, drinks and stuff here every day.” I tried to strike up a conversation with her, and after a while she seemed comfortable enough to talk to me. That afternoon was a turning point in my life.
Later on I found out that Lettuce had to work as a street vendor after her father died and her mom left to be a migrant worker in Dubai. The amazing thing is she still has time to teach English for free to children in her neighborhood.
So that’s your world, you though girl. That’s way you don’t have time to socialize with people like us. You work hard while we just have fun, going to the movies or wasting our money shopping. I’ve never had friends who sacrifice their youth to be a breadwinner. It’s their loss if the others don’t want to be your friend. I find you very special. Lettuce, you’re not alone!
I rarely hang out with my friends these days. After getting to know Lettuce, I found that I don’t want to spend all my time only having fun. I need to do something good for others. That’s what I learned from Lettuce. I’ve volunteered to teach kids at a nearby orphanage.
I’m so lucky to know you, Lettuce. You’re so special. It’s so difficult to find people like you; there are too many selfish people in this world. If they don’t always judge a book by its cover, maybe they will find another Lettuces around them.
“Hi, Lettuce. Walk you home?”
“That would be nice.” Her bright smile tells me,
“I’m not an alien anymore. Now I have somebody to share everything with.”
That’s what a friend is for, Lettuce, you’re not alone :)
