The first time I saw him was in Home Room.  Last month, right after school started for the year.   He looked like he needed a friend.

Shoot.  I could have used a friend.

The boy had long, greasy looking black hair that hung straight down his back.  Very intense, smoldering onyx eyes.  A thin, high-cheekboned face.  A strong, hawk-shaped nose.  A thin-lipped mouth set in a determined line.  Slender, almost painfully skinny.

Looked like he could use a meal or three.

Native American?  He looked it.  But then again, he could have been Mexican or from anywhere in Latin America.   He was very dark complected.  I had no idea of knowing until I heard Mrs. Capps announce his name when she introduced him to the class.

His name?  Seth Hiram Black Hawk.  He was my age (thirteen); he was new to the school, having just moved here to Texas from Oklahoma.  He is of the Mohawk Nation.  My guess of him being an American Indian proved to be correct, I remembered thinking to myself.

A few days later, I sat with Seth Black Bear in the cafeteria, during lunch.  

He hardly said two words to me as he wolfed down his chicken tuna sandwich, carrot sticks, tator tots, and green lettuce salad.  Yet he apparently ddin't mind my sitting with him, so as I sat there, he continued eating.  

When he finished with his meal, he was still hungry.  Mom had packed an extra sandwich and potato chips for me.  I was full, so I offered them to him.  He nodded his thanks.

I was grateful to have the company: I usually eat by myself anyway.

About a week and a half ago, Seth opened up a little and told me about himself and his family.  He was thirteen, the oldest of six kids.

He and his baby brother are the only boys.  The rest are girls, ages 10, 8, 7, 4.  His brother is a year old. 

His family moved to Texas because his little brother needs specialized care.  His brother has a number of things wrong with him: he can't walk or talk, and he is blind.  He also has heart and breathing issues.

The eight year old girl has mild cerebral palsy, but it doesn't slow her down.  She can walk, with crutches and leg braces.  She's very active. 

There was more liklihood of his brother getting the kind of help he needs here, rather than back in Oklahoma, Seth told me.

I was sorry to hear about his baby brother's medical problems, but I was glad to have a potential friend. Seth is quiet in nature; he doesn't talk to hardly anybody but me.

It is going on a month since school started, and I have met Seth's family.  They are all very nice; they are glad to see that he's made his first friend since coming to Texas.   

Hopefully this will help him open up, which is what they told me.  He has always been shy, his mom said.I didn't think there was anyone shyer than me.

Seth is a nice kid too.  I just hope that we can continue being friends and hang out with one another!  

I hate being lonely.  Hate having to eat or do anything by myself.  Don't have any friends.  It's not that I'm fat or stupid or ugly, or have something wrong with me, that the kids would tease me.  It's like I'm ... invisible.  No one notices me.

Doesn't help that I'm shy.

It will be nice to have someone to talk to, besides the fat flies that hang on my screen door, or watching paint dry.

This evening, I am going over to Seth's house for dinner.  His parents called mine and asked if it was okay.  I'm glad they said yes.  I'll be leaving in about an hour.

Will write in here later.  See ya!

~ To be continued.~