Battle of Fear and Trust

What it means to be a 'good' friend

I sit at the dinner table. I've always wondered what it would be like to be friends with Cindy and her clique. I'd never have imagined they would want me to be their friend, but for the last few weeks, they've invited me to sit with them for every meal and to have tea with them in the courtyard. It's almost as though I'm part of their group, even if my family isn't as wealthy as their families.

"Look at the new necklace my parents sent me for my birthday," Samantha shows us her pearl necklace. Which is such a pure white that I could see the lights from the ceiling reflecting from them.

"It's almost as lovely as the gold one I got last week," Jane says as she fiddles her own necklace. I could see Samantha giving her an angry glare as she let go of the pearls.

"Yes, Jane, your jewelry is decent, even after a week," Cindy says with a fake smile. "But it's not as gorgeous as my new diamond bracelet," She holds out her wrist, and Jane and Samantha immediately start fawning over it. "Don't you agree Susan?"

"Yes, it is lovely." I smile, although I don't think it's more lovely than what Jane or Samantha are wearing. I don't tell her that though; one of the many unspoken rules of being with them is that Cindy always has the best of everything and anything we have is second rate. It's not really fair, but Cindy is the leader of this group and everything she said goes. "Excuse me, I'm afraid I have to get some schoolwork done," I've already neglected it long enough. Get up from my set and pick up my tray.

"Alright, we'll see you later," Cindy says. I give her and the other girls a smile before leaving. I'm lucky Cindy includes me in her inner group of friends. It wouldn't be right to upstage her, I tell myself as I get rid of my tray and leave the dining hall.

"Not yet, but if you want the respect those creatures use to give you, you'll have to show her up at some point," Jadis says. I take a deep breath. Lately, she has been encouraging me to stick with these girls, saying that their friendship is the key to becoming a Queen again. Although, now that I think about it, the Witch never wanted me to be a Queen in the first place. Why does she think I'll listen to anything she has to say?

"I told you, Susan, I know what you want, and I can help you get it." She whispers in almost a sweet voice. My mind goes to how the other girls follow Cindy's lead and it is almost like she is their Queen. What I wouldn't give to have that kind of power. No, I tell myself I shouldn't be listening to her voice in the first place and I certainly won't be taking help from her.

"Aren't you? Didn't you take my advice to sit with these girls?" Jadis says, causing my arms to tense up defensively.

Being one of Cindy's friends was my choice and has nothing to do with your advice, I tell her. There is no way I would ever listen to her. Does she think I'm naïve? That I would believe she wants to help me out? She is a witch after all, and I know better than to make deals with witches.

"Are you so narrow-minded as to think that I am just some common hag? That I only make deals for my own purposes? After all, what do I gain from your friendship with those girls, when you're the one who wants their lifestyle?" I wish I could drown out her voice but it is impossible when she is in my mind. "You should know that any deal I've made in my lifetime was for the other person's best interests. They had nothing to do with what I could have gained," She adds, sounding as innocent as she could.

Nothing you say will change my opinion of you. Do you really think I would want to listen to you after the way you treated Edmund? That dream is still as fresh as the night I had it. I remember seeing his exhausted figure being forced to walk, and bloodstains on his shirt from the dwarf's whip. All while she watched, yelling at him to move faster.