The seat beside me had been empty for three weeks. Everyone in our class had a partner already, so I worked alone, spreading my books across the desk. Then one Monday morning, Mr. Patel walked in with a girl I had never seen before. She clutched a grey backpack and stared at the floor. Mr. Patel pointed to the seat next to mine and said, 'Emily, you can sit here.' I quickly swept my books back to my side, trying not to look annoyed. She slid into the chair without a word, and I felt the weight of a new silence settle between us.

For the first two days, Emily barely spoke. She answered questions in a voice so quiet I had to lean in to hear. At lunch, she ate alone near the library, scrolling through her phone. I didn't know what to say to her. I had my own group of friends, and I worried that talking to her might make things weird. But on the third day, during science class, we had to share a worksheet. I slid it toward her and said, 'You can write the first part.' She looked at me, surprised, and then gave a small nod.

That worksheet became our bridge. We took turns writing answers, and when I made a mistake on a diagram, she corrected it without making me feel dumb. She even drew a tiny smiley face next to the correction. I laughed, and she smiled back—a real smile this time. After class, I asked her where she was from. She said her family had moved from Melbourne three weeks ago, and she still felt lost in our school. I told her I would show her where the art room was, because I knew she liked drawing.

I had my own group of friends, and I worried that talking to her might make things weird.

Over the next week, I introduced Emily to my friends. At first, she hung back, but then she started joining in conversations. I noticed that she had a dry sense of humour that made everyone laugh. One day at lunch, she showed us a sketchbook full of detailed drawings of animals. My friend Liam asked if she could draw a portrait of his dog, and she agreed. It was like a door had opened. I realised that I had almost missed out on knowing someone interesting just because I was too comfortable with my own routines.

Looking back, I think that empty seat taught me more than any lesson about maths or English. It reminded me that a new person isn't a disruption; they are an opportunity. Emily brought new ideas and a different perspective into our group. I learned that being friendly doesn't cost anything, but being too shy to reach out can cost a friend. Now, when I see a new student in the hallway, I remember how that worksheet changed everything. I try to be the person who makes the first move, because I know what it feels like to be the one sitting alone.