There is Everything for You Here

Chapter 26

Hello! Sorry I've been MIA, I started school! I hope you enjoy this chapter!

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"And then he just stormed out, and I felt so bad after because I realized I was being a total hypocrite, and he has every right to be mad at me now," I huffed to Klara. "But now, I'm afraid to go downstairs because I don't even know what I would say if I did run into him. I don't know, what do you think?" I turned to Klara, looking at her from across the room where she was perched on her own bed, eyes closed. "Klara?" Her eyes snapped open, and she sat up slowly, like she had forgotten I was there at all. "Are you okay?" I hadn't noticed before, but she was looking a little ragged.

"Yeah, I'm okay." Her voice sounded strained – it was the first time I had ever heard her like that. Embarrassment crept into me as I realized that I hadn't even asked her about her family visit yet. Now I was being a bad friend too.

"How did it go last night? With your family?"

"Uh, I think it went okay. I slept over there, didn't I?" She laughed dryly, like it pained her. "I did come out to them though, and they took it kind of okay, but not as well as I had hoped."

"Oh," I said at this revelation. "I had no idea."

"Yeah, most people don't. I had been meaning to tell them, and my therapist said it would probably help me, so I finally did it." I went over to her, sinking down into her bed, and wrapped my arms gently around her.

"That must have been hard for you," I whispered. "I'm proud of you for doing that." I felt her body start to shake a little, and sniffling noises start to come from her.

"It's so stupid though," she complained, "Like I thought they probably wouldn't even care, and I was so afraid to tell them. But when I finally did, they started acting all weird and stuff, which is just so annoying. I'm still the same person anyways."

"You're right. Maybe they're just taking some time to get used to it."

"Yeah, I think so too. I just wish they would hurry up on it, because now they're making me feel weird too." She let out a low groan and laid her head back onto her pillow. "I'm just going to stay in bed today." Her voice sounded muffled. "Bring me food at mealtimes, so I can sit here like a lump. If I'm lucky, I can stay here long enough so that I turn into a rock." I sighed, brushing her hair back gently.

"You know what you need?" I ventured.  Klara lifted her head slightly, looking expectantly at me. "You need to sit in the backyard, drink some lemonade, and paint your nails. That will help make you feel better." She smiled slightly, sitting up fully.

"Those are all of my favourite things," she said, energy creeping back into her voice. I grabbed her hand, shaking it a little.

"I know! Now let's round up Jameela and go outside." I sat up, opening her dresser drawers to pull out some clothes for her. I pulled out a nice blue dress and threw it at her. "Here, put on some clothes and let's get going." She held the dress close to her chest.

"Thanks Stella."

"Anytime babe."

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Klara's problems were a good distraction from my own as I collected a makeshift picnic for us to take outside. Besides, I always liked helping people feel better – I liked to think I was good at it too. Spreading out a blanket, I arranged our stuff under the tree, careful not to spill the pitcher of lemonade I had brought out. I arranged the snack I had collected in a little row – a few bags of chips, some sour gummies, and some cut up watermelon. Pinning the corners of the blanket down with some books, I eyed the grass carefully. I was not keen to get stung by a bee today.