The Pen That Changed My Life - Chapter 30 – The Class Photograph

13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHvA0sQR1r

The first semester was almost over.

Only a few weeks remained before the holidays.

One Monday morning, our homeroom teacher entered the classroom carrying a clipboard.

"Listen, everyone."

The room gradually fell silent.

"Tomorrow, we'll be taking the annual class photograph. Make sure your uniforms are neat."

A wave of excitement spread across the room.

Someone joked that they needed a haircut.

Another complained that their tie was missing.

Narin leaned toward me.

"You'll look exactly the same."

I looked at him.

"What does that mean?"

"You always look neat."

"I just wear my uniform properly."

He smiled.

"See? Exactly."

The next morning, everyone arrived looking their best.

Shoes were polished.

Shirts were perfectly ironed.

Even the boys who usually ignored the school rules had neatly combed hair.

Our class gathered in the courtyard while the photographer arranged everyone.

"Taller students at the back!"

"Shorter students in front!"

The teacher walked around, moving students into place.

"Narin, one step to the left."

"Phawin, stand beside him."

I quietly moved to the empty space.

Narin glanced at me and smiled.

"Looks like we're teammates again."

"It wasn't our choice."

"I'm not complaining."

The photographer adjusted his camera.

"Everyone, look here."

Some students made funny faces.

Others struggled to keep from laughing.

The photographer sighed.

"One more time."

The class tried again.

Just before the camera clicked, Narin whispered,

"Smile."

"I am."

"That's not a smile."

"It is."

"It's half a smile."

Before I could answer—

Click.

The photograph was taken.

When the session ended, everyone crowded around the photographer to ask when the pictures would be ready.

As we walked back toward the classroom, Narin looked unusually thoughtful.

"What are you thinking about?" I asked.

"The photograph."

"What about it?"

He smiled softly.

"Years from now..."

"...we'll probably look at it and laugh."

"Why?"

"We'll all look different."

I nodded.

"Probably."

He looked at me for a moment before speaking again.

"But I hope..."

"...we'll still remember days like these."

His words felt strangely heavy.

"We will," I replied.

"I don't think I'll forget."

His smile grew a little brighter.

"I'm glad."

That afternoon, I reached home and placed my school bag beside my desk.

As I opened my notebook to begin my homework, I found a small piece of folded paper tucked between the pages.

I frowned.

I was sure it hadn't been there before.

I unfolded it.

Inside, written in familiar handwriting, were only a few words.

"Some memories deserve to last forever."

There was no signature.

There didn't need to be.

I looked out the window of my room as the evening sunlight faded across the sky.

Without realizing it...

The ordinary days at school were quietly becoming the memories I would carry for the rest of my life.13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PQXezXFVg

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