For Better Or For Worse | Rihanna

III; February 20th, 1998

"I'm sorry I couldn't come to your party," Eden walked up to the girl in the park, her tail tucked between her legs.

"It's okay," Robyn smiled dejectedly. She knew she wouldn't have been able to anyway.

Ever since the very first day they met, months ago now, they had never been able to hang out the way they would've wished to. Eden's mother was still firm on her inexplicable and deeply ironic ban from being anywhere near the Fentys, and Robyn's mother was simply wary of any of her children being in contact with people she didn't already know and approve of. Their meetings usually consisted of Eden finding her in the park or sneaking over to her bedroom window.

The latter had become a habit that both spent all day looking forward to. They went to different schools, which was unfortunate as they didn't get to see one another, but it only added fuel to their late-night conversations. They would spill about each other's day, leaving out no small detail, like what they ate for lunch or what the latest classroom gossip was. Eden would hang onto Robyn's lip for every last bit of information, with more attention than she'd ever been able to put into schoolwork.

However, today was different. Eden could sense that Robyn's mood was down and far from the one someone finally attaining double digits should have. She hesitated to ask the cause of her emotional turmoil because deep down she already knew what the problem was.

Robyn would mostly only come to the park when she wished to get away from her house. That meant that back on their street, her two guardians were most likely shouting and knocking things over, if not one another. Robyn often tried getting in between each other, but when that didn't work she'd run over here, hoping that her friend would come to rescue her with her usual pleasantries.

"I got you a gift," Eden stated, handing over a little box. She hoped that the contents of it would lift her spirits.

Robyn shook it slightly, before opening it up and being met with a blue and green woven bracelet that said 'R & E'. The colours didn't match at all, but Eden felt like a genius nonetheless for having successfully paired her and her close friend's favourite colours. Simultaneously, Eden showed her the matching bracelet that dangled on her wrist.

"Look they're the same! I made them in art class, isn't that so..." she trailed off, seeing Robyn hide her red face behind her hands. "Are you okay?"

The younger girl leaped from the still swing and engulfed Eden in a hug.

"You're so cool," her speech was muffled by her own tears, and her mouth on Eden's clothes.

Eden wasn't exactly sure what had just transpired, but it seemed that her friend was now no longer thinking about the downsides of her day. It was a small gesture, but it went a long way in Robyn's heart.

They hugged for what felt like hours. Robyn wasn't ready to let go yet, and Eden would have never separated from her if it was only up to her. Robyn was overwhelmed with the emotions she felt towards her friend. She didn't know how to vocalize that this was all she needed today. She didn't want a big party, a tasty cake and thoughtless gifts. It didn't even matter if Eden hadn't been able to show up. All she wanted was to feel loved and appreciated, and despite the sombre turn her birthday had taken when her father came home drunk, she was bursting with joy right now.

The sun had begun setting, and Robyn contemplated going home. She didn't wish to but she knew her mother would raise the alarm if she wasn't home by nightfall. Eden knew this too, yet it never stopped her from pleading with the native Barbadian to stay, even if for just one more minute.

"We don't have to go yet! It's your birthday, live a little," she nudged her friend in the ribs.

"You try telling me mommy why her baby gal missing then," Robyn rolled her eyes, only adding to her friend's amusement.