It has been a while since I came to the schoolyard. Every time I forget how big it is. We must be about a thousand students.

The principal is on stage and, despite the heat, he had the courage to put on his jacket and shirt.

No one listens to the opening speech anymore: people are here because they have to be.

I still haven't found my friends.
Where are Karol and Miriam?

"...Also, I wanted to point out that the courtyard has been renovated..."

That's right! They have renovated it.
It's full of color now: on the sides, there are so many flower beds.
I see the red tulips alternating with those gorgeous yellow flowers. They look like pompoms!
What will those flowers be called?
I must find out at all costs and, most importantly, I want to draw them.
The purple ones, however, are lavenders. In fact, you can smell them, I didn't notice before.

Under the large canopy of the oak tree, they put four black benches. That's where I can draw those strange yellow flowers. I can't wait to be able to sit there.

Where are Karol and Miriam?

"...This is an important day for you freshmen..."

I rest my gaze on the crowd, but nothing: two boys are hugging, others are chatting and laughing, a boy and a girl are kissing; Paul and Lucas are talking to the school basketball team. Already they are joking with each other. He seems to have settled in already. I am happy for him.

I open the Whatsapp group I have with Karol and Miriam.

Me: "Where are you?"

"Martha!"

I turn around. It is Karol holding Miriam's hand. How cute they look together.

"Karol." We hug and I wave to Miriam. "You come too that we do a super hug."

Miriam walks over and joins us.

I am really happy to see them. "We haven't seen each other in a long time." I stroke Karol's hair. "The braids look great on you, I finally get to see them up close."

"What do you say, was I right to redo them?" She pulls away from the hug and her hands caress the braids in front of her face.

"They look great on you."

"I think they look great on her, too." Miriam caresses her two more braids.

"Stop it you're making me blush."

Miriam prints a kiss on her cheek.

Karol pulls hands away from her hair and takes the phone out of her pocket. "Let's take the first picture of the year together."

I smile. "It's always been good luck."

"This year will be great: the principal is speaking; we take the picture like every year; they also put those beautiful yellow flowers. Have you seen them?"

"Of course I saw them! I was just thinking that I would like to draw them."

"Miriam said as much: 'As soon as she sees them, Martha will go out of her mind and want to draw them'."

"That's why I'm friends with two witches like you." I smile. "Do you know their names?"

Miriam kicks out the phone and shows me the screen. "Look! I found them with Google Lens. Her name is Dahlia."

Dahlia. I like that name.

"Talk about new things." Miriam's gaze turns mischievous and smiling. "What's your new neighbor like?"

Instinctively, I turn toward Paul and, at the same instant, he turns his head toward me. He smiles at me. I smile back, but I don't know if he noticed. Lucas punches him on the shoulder and Paul turns back to his friends.

Karol gives me a gentle nudge on the shoulder. "So? Were you staring at him?"

The two laugh in delight.

"No way, not even dead I would date someone like that!"

Miriam insists with a mischievous look. "What kind is he?"

"I don't know, but he's too handsome for me."

Karol and Miriam cross their gazes and open their mouths wide. They regard me, and as if they had agreed, they say in chorus: "You like him!"

"No, I don't."

Karol claps in elation. "That wasn't a question, that was a statement."

"I don't want relationships. I want to think about me: school, drawing, and my two best friends."

The two regard each other and, as if I hadn't said anything, Miriam takes money out of her pocket. "I bet 10$ that they go out together."

"I'll bet 20." Karol looks at me and laughs.

Look at the fun these two are having. I entertain them some more.

I watch again as Paul laughs and jokes with his friends.

I don't think we'll ever talk again. He's met the basketball guys by now. He will become popular in no time and I will be forgotten.

"...I am happy to be your principal again this year. I wish you a spectacular and exciting year. For the newcomers, I say, 'Welcome.' I hope the old students can help you have a wonderful year."

Paul turns and looks in my direction.
What do you want from me, you stupid magnet?