No What Ifs

The popular girl at school got her period and stained her dress.

Without a second thought, I swapped clothes with her.

But when I went to buy her some pads, the cold, aloof top student who had always ignored me suddenly approached me in the aisle.

"Did you find what you need? Give it to me, I'll pay."

Even my sharp-tongued childhood friend, the one who loved mocking me more than anyone, looked incredibly gentle and soft in that moment.

"You, you look really pretty today."

I froze in place.

I actually believed my quiet kindness had finally been noticed by the people around me.