Forlot: A Girl Who Needs Her Space - Book Thirty-Two

Chapter Seventeen

"I knew that you would say something stupid to Vicky, Carmen," Karma said. "It was bound to happen sooner or later."

I was not hearing the end of it from Karma, and I knew that I would never hear the end of it as long as she and I live. No matter how many times I covered my ears or tried ignoring her, I could not stop listening to my best friend. I could not get her words out of my mind. I did not want to listen to her, so I tried changing the topic.

I picked up a construction paper and showed it to her. It was a pretty blue. "How about this color? You think that it would look good on my door?"

Karma flipped her ponytail. "Blue is so not your color, Carmen. And I know what you are doing."

"I hope that you do. I do not want to repeat myself."

She crossed her arms over her chest. "You and I clearly are thinking different things." She took the paper away from me and put it back on the shelf. "This would be a much better background for your sign." She pulled out a purple construction paper and handed it to me. "This is you."

I looked at the paper before looking back at her. "Well, you are not wrong. This paper totally describes me."

"Purple is your favorite color too, and I know how well purple and black go. Those are two peas in a pod. Just like us. By colors aside..." She pulled out another paper that was a dark shade of my favorite color. "...we really should discuss what you said."

I giggled. Giggled nervously. "I have said lots of things today."

She adjusted her glasses. "What you said to Vicky right before she snorted like a pig and went on her way."

"You mean when I roasted her?"

"When you told her to her face that you will sing in the talent show."

I carefully folded both construction papers that Karma had picked out for me. "What is wrong with that?"

"You and I - and all our classmates - know that you are not a good singer. You were not born to sing. You were born to write!"

I put the construction papers into the shopping basket. "Are you suggesting that I am a terrible singer?"

"Yes, and I am not saying that to be mean. I am saying that because it is the truth. The last thing that I want is for you to embarrass yourself."

I sighed, and we took our time down the aisle. "This is not fair. Vicky has everything that I wish for. She does not have siblings and is popular and sings like an angel from the heavens."

"If it makes you feel better, Carmen, I do not think that she sounds like an angel. She sounds exactly like some car wreck."

"Do not compare Vicky to some car wreck, Karma. It is offensive to car wrecks. They sing better than her after all."

With her help, I bought two construction papers and a big pack of markers. The markers were special because they were erasable and could change colors. I was sooo excited to use them. I could not wait to return home to start working on my sign.

Little did I know that the markers were not as magical as the music box.

Karma and I exited the art store and crossed the street. But as we were crossing, I suddenly tripped and fell on the road. I cried out and fell on my stomach.

Karma had reached the sidewalk when I had tripped. A gasp escaped from her mouth, and she spun around. I will never forget the look on her face on that day.

"Goodness!" she yelled at the top of her lungs. "Get up, Carmen! Get up!"

I was about to do just that - but it was too late.

A car that was coming down the road hit me.

That is what I thought - until I found myself next to my friend. I was on the sidewalk.

I was still lying on my belly and sat up. "What...what is going on? What happened?"

Karma held out a hand for me to take. "Need a hand?"

"Y-yeah. Thanks." I took her hand, and she helped me to my feet. I dusted off my jumpsuit. "Hey. W-where is my purse?"

She smiled a little. "Relax, Carmen. I have your purse." She handed me my purse. "I also have your music box. And it is open." She held out the music box. "You know how this thing sounded like a train wreck earlier?"

"Yeah."

She handed it over. "Now it sounds like an angel."

I gazed at the inside of the music box, and then back at her. "I know that it sounds like an angel."

"You do now that it is playing."

I shook my head. "I already heard this music."

"Really? When?"

"This morning after I chatted with my grandparents."

"Chatted with your grandparents? They are dead. Your grandparents are dead, Carmen."

It took me a few seconds to realize what I had just said to her. I gasped and covered my mouth. "You were not supposed to hear that."

"I cannot hear you because your mouth is covered."

"I said that you were not supposed to hear that."

"I was not supposed to hear what?"

I uncovered my mouth and sighed. "Karma...I do hope that you will still be my friend after this."

"After what? What in the world are you talking about?"

"Karma...the watch and music box are not your normal watch and music box."

"You mean the watch and music box mentioned in the will?"

"Yes." I ran a hand through my hair. "You know what? I think that I know exactly how I - we - can beat Vicky at her own game."

"How?"

A smile spread across my face. "Leave it to me."