The Only One: Chapter One

It wasn't like middle school, when a new student stands in front of the class and is introduced by the teacher while the new person smiles shyly and waves. In high school, this person is thrust into the fray of a sea of students, unfamiliar classes, and a totally new system. It's a frightening time at first, but nearly everyone is able to make friends and adapt to a new setting eventually.
Everyone, except this one girl. She has been here for nearly a semester, yet it doesn't seem like she's found any friends, or even people to hang out with during lunch or study halls. I see her walking the halls rather quickly, her head often tilted towards the ground, or at her locker spinning her combination in, or sitting in a corner in class. She rarely if ever speaks, and when she does it is in a trembling, shy tone. She doesn't seem sad, just a person who is either too bashful to fit in or simply uninterested in doing so.
But still, I couldn't help but feel sorry for her, even if she did want to keep to herself. At the risk of being awkward, I stopped at her locker one morning before class began.
"hello there," I said to her, smiling as her head was turned toward her books. She turned toward me, a blank, confused look on her face.
"hi," she replied in a soft voice, almost a whisper. Her eyes constantly darted towards the ground, yet she tried to maintain her gaze with mine, like she knew that it is proper to look at someone who is addressing you.
I was hoping that she would be a bit more responsive; I guess I would have to break the ice. "I've seen you walking and hanging out by yourself for a while. I thought perhaps you would want a friend to be with while you're here." It was a bit sappy, but sappy really isn't when you're faced with it. Plus, this was what I really felt. I didn't want this girl to wonder around by herself.
My words must've given her more confidence. Her voice was still quiet and timid, but her smile became wider and she hardly turned her eyes away from mine "Oh-I don't mind it, really. I don't always need someone at my side, and it's nice not having to rely on others' plans. I appreciate your concern, but I think I'm fine just by myself."
"are you sure?" I asked, a bit sadly. "It's nice to have friends at this level. There are all sorts of problems that you may need help with, and I'd be glad to be there for you."
"Well, it hasn't been an issue so far, has it?" she smiled wryly. "Please, don't pity me." This time, her voice had a bit more harshness in it as she shut her locker and walked away briskly. I stood there for a while, looking down and feeling like a fool. I began to grasp what I had just attempted. Out of a pity I tried to disguise as good will, I tried to befriend a girl I barely knew, assuming she needed and wanted help. Well, she's stronger than she looks, I suppose.