Young Forever

Chapter 15

School was painful the next day. Aaliyah had to wait till after school ended to talk to Angela, to tell her what she wanted to say. And Monica wouldn't let her sit with her at lunch either.

"You choose either Angela or me" she had said.

For the first time since elementary school, Aaliyah sat alone.

If only people were willing to sit with her. But she had an image as the popular girl, so people saw her as unapproachable. They were intimidated by her. And Monica wouldn't let Angela sit next to her either.

She began to wonder if this was what she really wanted.

"No Aaliyah, focus" she thought. "Monica is not a true friend."

After lunch, she had the courage to speak with Angela.

"Hey Angie," she said. "Can you please meet me after school? I need to talk to you about something."

"Sure Aali" said Angela.

Monica looked their way and smirked. She thought Aaliyah was really breaking her friendship with Angela.

Angela met with Aaliyah after school, as promised. Monica was behind a street light, watching them.

"So, what did you want to talk to me about?" Angela asked.

"Well, uh, you see...." Aaliyah hesitated for a while. But then she gathered her courage again.

"Ever since I met you, I've been questioning, who I really am, if I'm really happy with being the popular girl. You've made me see things that I couldn't and I really enjoy your friendship... Monica told me to not hang out with you anymore, but I couldn't get myself to do it. I see now, she has never respected me. She only keeps me around because she needs me for homework help or whatever. I guess what I want to say is, thank you, Angie."

"Wow, you're welcome"

From behind the street light she was watching them, Monica went red in the face.

"WHAT was THAT?" she screamed at Aaliyah. "I never respected YOU?"

"Its true" said Aaliyah. "You've always belittled me and made me feel stupid for liking the things I like. I realize now that's not what real friends do. Real friends respect each other. They have each other's back, something you never have."

"Of course I do. I'M the one who made you popular!"

"I was never looking for popularity! That doesn't matter! I was just looking for someone who could be my real friend. And you, Monica, aren't a real friend."

Monica sighed.

"Fine. You want to be like that, so be it. But you're the one who's going to suffer. You'll regret throwing me away like that, Aaliyah Taylor."

Saying this, she walked away. But then, she turned around again.

"I feel like a load has been lifted off my back" said Aaliyah.

"Hey, don't worry, you still have me" said Angela.

Aaliyah looked at her. She still had Angela, who always respected and looked up to her. Yes, that would be more than enough.

"Yes, I do" she said.

It seems she'd accomplished what she'd come for.