A Surprising Video Call from School Friends

I got a video call notification from my old school friends group, which had been inactive for almost three years, so I was surprised. At first, I was hesitant to pick up the call, but then I convinced myself to join.

And there she was, Anya. It was the first time I saw her in years. When I last saw her, she was a towering figure in our school, with intelligence, confidence, and an absolute aura of perfection. I was remembered as the quiet child, an average student who always seemed to get lost in the crowd.

She wasn’t just a topper; she was like a walking library. She knew everything. She was good at everything- academics, sports, arts. She was the girl everyone admired, the one everyone wanted to be with, the one who made everything look easy.

The day I had to sit next to her felt like a punishment-a random decision made by the class teacher that instantly pissed her off and made me dread every upcoming class. I thought she hated me, and I hated her, too, for my stupid jealousy reason.

But in those two years that I had to spend with her, changed everything. At first, I only knew Anya like everyone knew, the one who epitomized excellence. Sitting next to her often felt like standing in someone else’s shadow, and I spent time comparing myself. But as we came closer, I saw that she, too, was a normal human being, with flaws, insecurities, and dreams.

Gradually, we became friends. She started helping me with my studies, patiently explaining topics that I was not able to understand, sharing her notes, and marking important points for me to revise. She also helped me improve my poor handwriting. With her, I didn’t just improve academically; I started to feel seen, valued, and maybe even a little hopeful about myself. She not only taught me how to study but also showed me the value of hard work. She made me realize that achieving one’s dreams is not just a talent but a choice she makes every day.

Time passed, and life separated us, as it often does. But today, suddenly, I saw her again through an unexpected video call. She looked different than before, more mature. I knew she would do wonders in her life. She is working hard and got into the field she always wanted to be in. I was so happy to see her this time. I thought she wouldn’t remember a thing about me, but she did. We talked about the silly things we had done in school and how she used to help me.

After the call, I started thinking. What would have happened if our teacher hadn’t forced me to sit next to her? Would I have misunderstood her as being arrogant? Would I have been as inspired to achieve my dreams? I don’t know, but what I do know is that her inspiration is still alive in me today. People say that influence comes from association. I guess this statement might be true because, with her, I changed for the better. And for that random seat exchange that made everything possible, I will forever be grateful.

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This post was previously published on medium.com.

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