I forgot about you,

but it seems

you never forgot about me.

You were waiting in the background

until I needed you.

I didn’t remember his introduction.

The confusion I felt

when he told me

to befriend you.

The uncertainty

when he didn’t bring you up again.

The relief

that others dealt with you.

You came

in the form of an acquaintance.

A classmate

who I looked up to.

She spoke

like my confident teachers.

Her attitude

was like none I’d ever seen.

She wasn’t disrespectful,

but no one could say

she wasn’t honest.

I wanted to be like her.

Have the confidence

to be as honest,

but still be strict.

Still be sure

of what I wanted.

Gym was my problem.

Walking across the hallways,

I was bored.

Annoyed.

Wondering why

I was stuck doing this.

Why participating

wasn’t extended to me.

For some time,

I watched her.

I watched

as she delivered her thoughts.

I watched

as she shone

in whatever she wanted.

I noticed you in her.

The version of you

he introduced me to.

The solution

to my problems.

This time,

I understood.

His voice

echoed in my head,

but, without an explanation,

I didn’t know

whether to trust you.

We were still not friends,

but you stood beside her.

She was a sign,

so I decided

to take the risk.

You stood behind me

as I asked the woman

why participation in a class

was not extended to me,

but I wasn’t sure

I should have.

When I asked,

you offered me

a reassuring smile.

This time,

you were right.

You were the friend I needed.