Never Judge a Book By Its Cover

Chapter 3

Another chapter! I hope you like it and thanks for the support and ideas as always!

Something is wrong. That was all Serena could think as she looked at her best friend Dawn. First, she showed up late to school with her hair slightly disassembled. Which for a perfectionist like Dawn was a big give away. Second, she wasn't her usually bubbly self. Usually, Dawn was the one to initialize conversation and was a big people person. However, today she was as quiet as a mouse and seemed to be distracted whenever someone tried to talk to her.

Staring at her during lunch break, Serena thought very carefully at how to get to the bottom of what was upsetting her friend.

"I have to go to the bathroom," Dawn suddenly announced as she got up with her food tray in hand.

Seizing the opportunity, a determined Serena mimicked Dawn's action and said, "I'll come with you."

A couple minutes later, Serena led Dawn down an empty hall towards a bathroom that people rarely used during this time of the day.

Taking the plunge, Serena turned towards her friend and said, "Ok, Dawn, what's the matter?"

"Nothing is wrong," Dawn responded as she gave a fake smile to cover up her internal turmoil. "I am fine."

Serena narrowed her eyes. "Don't give me that. I know something is bothering you."

Sighing, Dawn dropped her façade and revealed herself to her friend. "Serena, do you think I am a bully?"

Whatever Serena suspected, it sure wasn't that. Seeing that Dawn stopped walking, she quickly followed suit and thought over her answer carefully.

"No, Dawn, I don't think you're a bully."

Not trusting her answer completely, Dawn insecurely said, "What about all the times I played with other people's emotion? How could I be anything, but a bully?"

It was times like this that Serena wished her childhood friend was here. He was always so good at saying what people needed to hear.

"Dawn, listen closely."

In response, Dawn gave her full undivided attention to Serena.

"Yes, you do like to toy with other people's emotions."

Dawn physically deflated at that revelation.

"However, you also a very kind and thoughtful person to those you consider friends," Serena said as she put a supporting hand on Dawn's shoulder.

Looking up and seeing Serena's dazzling smile, Dawn was at a loss of words.

"So, no, you do not have the personality of a bully. You just need to let your kind self shine to those that are not yet your friends."

Thinking of the awful things she already done, Dawn started to cry. "What I am suppose to do with the pe-people I have already h-hurt," she stuttered.

Quickly, pulling her into a hug, Serena said, "Well, first, you can apologize." She squeezed Dawn tighter. "Then, you can make it up to them by showing them the kindness that you have shown me."

For a while neither girls moved from each other's embrace. However, the sound of the bell ringing snapped them back to where they were.

Pulling herself away, Dawn wiped the remaining tears away. Then, with her first real smile of the day, she said, "Thank you, Serena. I needed that."

"There is no need to thank me. I just did what any good friend would do."

Laughing at her friend's humble nature, Dawn started to walk towards her next class while totally forgetting about using the bathroom. "I'll see you later, Serena," she said as she disappeared around the corner.