Forever

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In Koroszyce, an exceptionally charming town, the day begins at 7:30 a.m., because that's precisely the hour when cars fill the streets, people rush to work, and children and young people rush to school. Particular attention should be paid to the private Adam Mickiewicz High School No. 4. There, in the parking lot, countless cars gather at that hour, including those of students. High School No. 4 enjoys enduring fame. For years, it has been attended by young people not only with well-off parents, but especially by highly intelligent and ambitious youth, as it's very difficult to get into this school unless you have wealthy parents or have achieved high exam scores. However, that's not what makes it so famous. It's the school's character, which is quintessentially American, and therefore distinguishes between popular and unpopular students: the school's football team, cheerleaders, science clubs, which included a group of "nerds," and so on—stereotypical American customs.

Today was a special day for Majka. It was her first day at a new school, she was starting her first year at this high school, and there's no denying it; she was terrified. She woke up at seven in the morning to get ready. She put on a charming white blouse with a collar, tied at the waist, a black skirt cut diagonally, and black low-heeled shoes. She let her hair down and straightened it, and finally applied a little makeup. She stood in front of a full-length mirror to see the final result. She smiled to herself. She went to the closet and grabbed her purse, looking out the window. She saw her neighbor, whose windows faced her, also getting ready for school, the same one as her. She should have been happy that she would be attending school with a neighbor, but this fact didn't make her happy at all; on the contrary, it left her feeling uneasy. She ran down the stairs to breakfast. She had been very nervous the entire time.

"I see you're nervous," said her mother, who had been watching her for a while.

"Well, how can I not be nervous? It's the first day, and I barely know anyone. You know, only Patrycja and Aga got in from my class," Majka said in a rather sad and disappointed voice.

"And Patryk," her mother quickly interjected.

"Yes, exactly, he too. But a few other people from school got in." She quickly changed the subject, her eyes drifting to the pancakes she hadn't touched since she'd sat down at the table. "I can't swallow anything; I'd probably get a lump in my throat. Please take me now, because I'm going to die of nervousness sitting here. At least there I won't be stressed out alone..."

She got up from the table and went back to the mirror. She wasn't one to overly care about her appearance, but today's stress left her unsure of what to do with herself. Majka was a very shapely girl, of average height. She had long, shiny brown hair that fell loosely around her face. She had a dark complexion and large green eyes. She was very pretty, one might even say lovely, but she didn't flaunt it, as she tended to be a modest person. Without waiting for her mother, she grabbed her keys and left the house. She got into the car and tapped her knee impatiently.

"Finally!" she said to her mother as she got in. "Let's go.

" "Okay, okay. Don't get so worked up, you'll get a stomach ulcer," Mrs. Anna said with a smile, and they set off.

Majka remained silent the entire ride. When they reached the parking lot, she stiffened.

"I'm just starting to get nervous now," she said, turning completely pale.

"If you're just starting to get nervous now, what were you doing before?" Ms. Anna laughed. "I take it this was a warm-up?"

"It's easy for you to talk and laugh at me, but I'm terrified and terribly afraid," and she turned even paler, if that were possible.

"You'll be the one getting nervous before your final exams," Ms. Anna said sarcastically.

"You're not helping me at all!" Majka said, and she felt it might be better to send her mother to school and run home herself.

"Don't be so nervous, there's nothing to be nervous about. I understand it's your first day at a new school, but you'll soon meet your friends and the stress will pass," Ms. Anna tried to calm her daughter.

"Yes, but they'll be in a different class." After these words, Majka became even more terrified.

"Then you'll meet new friends. Majeczka, you're not in the first grade of elementary school, after all." Go there and don't be afraid, because you have nothing to be afraid of! Unless you want me to go with you?...

With those words, Majka shot out of the car like a catapult and looked at the school and the young people milling around. She felt an unpleasant knot in her stomach. She approached her mother from the other side of the car.

"Keep your fingers crossed for me, okay?"

"Okay, okay," Mrs. Ania said, stroking her daughter's hair.

At that moment, a car pulled up in the parking lot next to Majka. A handsome boy got out. He was tall, with dark, gelled hair, beautiful dark eyes, and a pleasant smile.

"Good morning, Mrs. Ania," he said to Mrs. Ania, smiling. He didn't look at Majka, in fact, he pretended not to notice her.

"Good morning, Patryk!" Mrs. Ania replied to the boy. "Hi Basia!" she greeted the boy's mother. "I didn't see you around the house, did you leave earlier?"

"Yes, I had to take care of one more little matter. How's Majeczka doing, nervous? Because Patryk is absolutely terrified. I don't understand him. But I hope at least you're taking notice.

" "She's terrified," Mrs. Ania answered for her. "She's been going through it since this morning, as if it were at least her final exams.

" "That's not true!" Majka quickly interjected, blushing. She turned away so Patryk wouldn't notice.

"Let's go, Ania," Mrs. Basia suggested. "Oh, son, go with Majeczka and show her around the school. You've been wandering around all summer.

" "Thank you, but I can handle it myself," Majka said hurriedly, and set off briskly toward the school.

Patryk said nothing. When Majka left, he said goodbye to his mother and Mrs. Ania, then set off toward the school himself. A moment later, a group of young people noticed him. One of the girls ran up to him, threw her arms around his neck, and kissed him. Mrs. Ania and Mrs. Basia watched the entire situation. After a moment of silence, Mrs. Basia asked,

"Do you think they'll ever reconcile?"

"I don't know," Mrs. Ania replied, a note of thought evident in her voice. "I hope so. After all, a friendship like Majka and Patryk's doesn't end overnight."

Majka searched the crowd for friends but didn't see anyone. A group of young people walked past her, chatting loudly and laughing. Patryk was among them. They exchanged glances for a moment. His eyes held only indifference, and Majka was filled with hatred. "To think I adored him so much," she thought. She would have loved to punch him in that smirk. She thought she hated him, but deep inside, she felt immense regret. They were best friends, and now they act like they didn't know each other at all. This whole situation was his fault; Patryk ended their friendship in a way that Majka could never understand, let alone understand why they ended their friendship in the first place.