Cursed

Chapter 3

It took me a while to approach her again. How would she react to me after that day? Would she even want to talk to me again? She was pretty irritated by my sudden emotions...

After a few weeks of attempting to acclimate to a new school, I decided I wanted to try again. After all, she could be the only true friend I could have.

When I got to her house (without being bombed in rain), I realized a note on her door I had never seen before. It was curled up and torn a little, but the words could still be read:

EVICTION NOTICE:

The tenant will be evicted if they don't follow these rules:

Only leave for school or necessary trips.

Only one guest allowed at a time.

NO PETS.

Thank you.

I could understand the No Pets rule, but the others... those were going too far.

I guess Amelia saw me, because the door suddenly opened and she was standing there, glaring at me.

"What are you doing back here?" she questioned, irritated.

"I... Uh..." I questioned how I would tell her I wanted to be friends with her. I motioned to the sign. "How long has that been up?"

She looked at me, then shook her head and started to close the door.

"Wait!" I yelled, but she was no longer there. Not giving up, I walked up the steps and sat by her door. I counted things, thought about life, anything I could do to pass the time. Eventually, she opened the door again, and her face dropped when she saw me.

"...What. Are you. Doing. Here." she reiterated. I sighed and responded, "I need a friend."

Taken aback, she repeated my sentence. "A... friend?"

"Yeah. I can't make friends at my new school, and my old friends weren't really... friends."

She stared at me. I looked at her, then looked back down and continued on.

"I was hoping... well... you seem pretty nice. I would like to have a friend like you."

She shook her head. "No."

"W...why?"

She shook her head again and responded, "You're just here to take something. You all are."

"What? No! I'm not! I promise!"

"Promises don't matter, They never do." In saying this, she looked away. I could sense some trauma.

I stood up. "Who...Who wronged you?"

"EVERYONE!"

I jumped at her sudden abrasiveness. "Everyone...? How?"

When she looked at me, her eyes were a glowing orange. It was as if there were... flames. "My parents neglected me. Everyone either wanted to kill me or kidnap me because of my curse. Just because you know I have powers and haven't turned against me yet doesn't mean a THING!"

"Woah!" I replied, a little anger rising within me. "Ok. I know you've had it rough. But that doesn't mean you can make assumptions!"

"Why not!? You're all the same. You all only want one thing!"

"Really? REALLY!? Well, I can tell you, I don't even want your stupid powers! I just want a FRIEND!"

She froze. I huffed, ready for whatever she threw at me. Instead, she sighed.

"...I've never heard anyone say that meaningfully..."

She sat down, head in hands. I automatically felt bad and walked over to her.

"I-i'm sorry! I didn't mean to hurt you!"

She shook her head, but not out of spite. Instead, she started talking to herself.

"Should he... could he... I dont know... He could just be a good liar... but what if he is really meaning it? Then you could have one true friend..."

Suddenly, she stood up and said "Ok. Fine. I... I'll give you a chance."

I nodded, but inside, I was bubbling with excitement. Do I finally have a real friend? I can do all the things friends do!

"Can you leave now?" She pestered. "I've... got some things to think about."

I nodded again and walked back to my house. The whole way, I beamed.