Alone in Manteiv

It was strange, how I didn't fit in here, even though I should, even though I thought I would. 

I adored it here, don't get me wrong. I loved walking the streets, watching the sun rise and set, learning as much as I could about the culture, the language, and the people. But despite how much I loved it, it didn't love me back.

I had moved to Manteiv to study, more specifically study the language. So I did. Now I can say confidently that I am nearly fluent with the standard dialect and I'm learning the other dialects slowly. 

At least, school is easy here, for me at least. The tests match how I remember information so I ace one after another. But school quickly gets lonely if every day is spent alone, alone but surrounded by people staring at me. 

I tried to make friends, I really did. I talked to kids in my classes. The kids in my neighborhood. I talked to the kids that hang out in the parks after dark. The kids that worked in the convenience stores near my apartment. Most of the time they were pleasant and curious, making small talk with me, but as much as I tried none of them really wanted to be friends. 

So I was alone, but I was working on it. I stayed in touch with my friends from home, keeping those friendships strong. And I wasn't going to stop trying to make friends here, eventually I will find that person that won't stare at me, amazed at my skin. And I will make a dear friend with that person, so that even if our friendship falls apart, I will have hope that I can find another person, who won't stare.