Chapter 8
It was a beautiful morning. The birds were chirping, the sun was shining, and I was resting peacefully. I would be out of the hospital the next day. The first thing I was doing was going with Benny and the rest of the guys to the Sandlot place they talked about so much for a picnic. Life was good.
“Is she asleep?” I heard a voice say quietly. I had been doing this a lot lately, pretending to be asleep right after I wake up. People talked about me a lot when they think I can't hear them. But it was this particular voice that made me eyes pop open.
I sat up and stared at the figure standing in front of my bed. My arm was still in a cast, which might be a problem. But my kicking leg was now free, and it was ready and rarin' to go. Which is what I wanted to do as soon as I saw the little bitch.
“Belle.” I hissed. And that's who it was. She had dark circles under her eyes and no make up on. She looked terrible. “Come to make fun of the little cripple?”
She shook her head. She looked at the ground and sighed. “I never wanted you to get hurt. I may be horrid, but I'm not horrid enough that I would want someone to die. I'm really sorry for everything I've done to you. I'm sorry that you won't be able to go anywhere for a while-”
“What do you mean? I can go anywhere I want to starting tomorrow.” I asked her. She looked up at me and smiled. It was a sincere smile, not a 'I hate you so much but I'll put up with you smile'.
“Then would you like to come to my Christmas party next weekend? It'll be fun. It's sort of a girls-night-out kind of thing.” She looked kind of excited. Like she sincerely wanted me to come to her party. My dad looked up from his book, with a 'what did she just say?' look on his face.
“I don't know how much I could really contribute to the fun.” I said uncertainly.
“See, but isn't that what Christmas is really about?” Belle asked. I was confused. “Coming together and forgetting your differences? Come on Mimi, the party won't be fun without you. Please say you'll come.” Belle had her hands folded together and was really begging me to come.
“Belle I,” I started. Then my dad cut in.
“I think it would be a great idea!” My dad said excitedly. “When and where?”
“Daddy, why don't you let me talk to Belle alone? So we can talk about,” I looked at Belle uncertainly, she mouthed something and I repeated it. “Girl stuff.” My dad looked at me quizzically.
“You know,” Belle said, “Bras and stuff.”
“I'm out.” My dad said. He quickly took his book with him out of the hospital room.
Belle and I looked each other in the eye for a second, then started laughing hysterically.
“Okay, okay. That was pretty good.” I said, wiping my eyes.
“Thanks.” Then she sat closer to me on the bed. “Mimi, please. I really am sorry, and the party will be a lot of fun. Do you want to know what we're gonna be doing?”
“Sure. I really do want to come. I've never really had friends, so I've never been to a party.” I said, sitting up and crossing my legs. Belle scooted a little farther onto the bed and sat in the same position as I was and faced me.
“First off, it's a slumber party. Second, my mom's going to order us a few pizzas and some soda pop for dinner. We're gonna make dessert, and then we'll just sit around and watch movies. Just a girl's night.” She really moved her hands a lot when she talked. “So are ya gonna come?”
I thought about it for a second and then nodded. “You bet I'm gonna come. Wouldn't miss it for the world.”
And just like that, my worst enemy became my best friend.
