Broken Promise (part 2)

by Rebecca Clearwater

“Oh Amelia,” Katie gasped. “This isn’t good, this is worse than last time.”

“I know.”

“Why?”

“School.”

“I thought you finally accepted the situation?”

“I thought so too...”

“So what happened?”

“The closer the start of school gets the sadder I get. Orientations start this week and I just, I can’t do this. I thought I could but I can’t.” Amelia started scratching rapidly at her wrist and broke into a new spell of sobs. Amelia buried her wet face into Katie’s shoulder and Katie gave her a hug.

“You can do this, I know you can. You will succeed anywhere you go,” Katie murmured comfortingly.

Amelia stood up and wiped her eyes, “I need to clear my head, I’ll text you later.”

“Promise?”

“Yes.”

“No disappearing?”

“No disappearing.”

Katie stood up and gave Amelia a hug. Amelia took a deep breath and let go of Katie.

“I missed your hugs,” Amelia stated quietly.

“You wouldn’t have had to miss them if you hadn’t shunned me.”

“Shun the nonbeliever.”

“Amelia.”

“Shun.”

“Amelia Wilson! Never again will you shun me.”

“Ok, I never will again.”

Amelia climbed silently over the fence and crossed the deck in a few strides. She opened the wooden gate and climbed nimbly down the stairs. Katie watched the horizon and saw Amelia cross the street and go into the deserted playground.

Katie then hopped clumsily back over the fence and down into the parish hall to join the party. She would give Amelia some space but catch up with her later in the evening.

After two hours or so of being at the party Katie made a plate of food and walked across the street. Katie found Amelia lying on her back under the overhang of the playground.

Amelia heard footsteps on the tanbark and she sat up quietly; she drew her gun. “Who goes there,” she yelled.

“I come bearing food,” Katie yelled back.

“Oh bless you,” Amelia muttered putting the gun down.

“Where’d you get the gun? Wait I don’t want to know.”

“All good ninjas carry a gun,” Amelia commented.

“Of course I should have known.”

Katie handed Amelia the plate and Amelia began to pick at it half heartedly.

“What you aren’t hungry?” Katie asked.

“Yes I am, just a lot on my mind,” Amelia murmured picking a little more on the food.

“I bet, what are you thinking?”

“My wrist hurts.”

“Serves you right.”

“Yeah I know.”

“You can’t keep doing this to yourself.”

“I know...”

“I thought you were getting better.”

“Apparently not."

“What can I do to help?”

“Not tell.”

“You know I can’t promise that.”

“You have to.”

“Amelia look at your wrist.”

“I know and I will tell my mom give me a chance.”

“Ok.”

Amelia lay back down and her eyelids started to become heavy and she fell asleep on the playground, feeling the warmth and comfort of having her best friend lying next to her.

The End