CHAPTER 2: THE SECRET OF SADNESS
The days go by, and Val continues to feel scared and worried about Ricky's behaviour. She doesn't understand why he keeps bothering her, and every time she sees him, she feels a knot in her stomach. Her friends try to cheer her up, but her smile is not as bright as before; it's disappearing.
One afternoon, while she is taking a walk in the park with her parents, Val, lost in her thoughts, walks faster than them and decides to sit on a bench to wait for them. Shortly after, an old man sits next to her to rest and notices that the girl is not well, so he says: -Hi! We don't know each other, but how are you feeling? I can see sadness in your eyes.
-Nothing - Val replies.
-Are you sure? - Insists the man.
He seems calm and wise, so she finally gathers the courage to talk to him.
-I'm having trouble at school... There's a boy who laughs at me. That makes me feel really bad.
The elderly man listens carefully and responds:
-Sadness is a natural emotion, but you shouldn't let it be the only thing you feel
Val nods, but inside she's still lost. The old man offers her one last piece of advice: -Sometimes, sharing our feelings with someone we trust can help us feel better. Don't be afraid to talk about what's happening to you. Her parents are already arriving at the bench. Val thanks him for his words and says goodbye to him.
When she gets home, she tries to tell her parents what's going on, but in the end, she doesn't dare. She still needs a little more time.
