Hope

Life works in mysterious ways.
Sometimes, hope comes to us in the most unexpected fashion.

Today, I was in a tiny, cramped bathroom stall so typical of my school, when I noticed something on the wall. It wasn't your typical bathroom scribble. Someone had written, in beautiful cursive handwriting,

It's the first day of my third year and I'm miserable. I am miserable here. I am miserable.

This was a cry for help from a total stranger, and I felt for her/him. I know what it feels like to feel nothing but despair in this environment. And apparently, I wasn't alone.

All around the original writing were people's words of encouragement.

"You are not alone. =)"
"Don't stress, you will get through this."
"Tomorrow will be better."
"We all feel your pain, but life goes on."

I always thought this was a school full of cold, selfish people, who strive for nothing but personal gain. But the bathroom incident taught me something new - after two years here, I still hadn't grasped the true nature of my peers. It's true, they are a tough crowd to read, but knowing that compassion still floats outside amidst the bitter cold warms my heart. I feel like I just took a sip from a giant mug of hot chocolate. The feeling is good