Secrets Followed by Mysteries

Part 44

[Julie's First Day – School Playground Corner]

Julie, a tiny 6-year-old little girl with strawberry-patterned clips in her hair, held her lunchbox close and looked around the schoolyard. Her eyes landed on a little girl sitting alone by a tree stump, pouting and holding her tummy.

Julie: Hiiiii... are you okay?

Nicole: *groaning* Noooo... I dropped my sandwich in the sand. And now I'm hungriiiie!

Julie gasped softly and sat beside her, opening her lunchbox.

Julie: Wanna share mine? It's cheese and jam!

Nicole: *eyes lighting up* Really?! You're like... the nicest girl ever!

Julie: *giggling* You're funny. I'm Julie!

Nicole: I'm Nicole. I'm always hungry. And sleepy. And I fall down a lot. That's what most people say. *said while having a bite of the sandwich*

Julie: That's okay! I'll catch you!

Nicole gave a big smile with her mouth full, looking like a puffer fish.

[A Few Days Later – Art Class]

Julie was coloring a cupcake when Nicole waved excitedly from across the table.

Nicole: Jess! Come here! This is Jessica! She draws scary stuff! *To Julie*

A serious-looking girl with a messy ponytail and short, choppy bangs was sketching a dragon breathing fire.

Julie: Oooooh! So cool! It has big sharp teeth! *Pointing at the teeth*

Jessica: Yup. It eats mean people.

Julie: *giggling * I like cupcakes and unicorns, but that's super awesome!

Jessica: *tilting her head * You're weird.

Julie: So are you. *Giggled cutely*

Jessica: *smiling just a little * Cool.

[One Week Later – Story Time]

Julie sat next to Nicole during story time, but noticed two girls sitting nearby. One was quietly drawing shapes with her finger on the carpet, and the other was pretending the mat was a ship and making 'whoooosh' sounds.

Nicole: That's Agia and Diana. They are literally lovebirds. *whispering *

Julie crawled over to them like a sneaky kitty.

Julie: Hi! I'm Julie!

Diana: Are you the new girl? *Stood up with a smiling face*

Julie: yes!

Agia: So, you are Nicole's Best friend, she once took my biscuit by mistake...

Nicole: It looked like mine... *whispering from behind Julie *

Diana: *laughing * I like your sparkly shoes.

Julie: Thanks! I made them even more sparkly with glue!

They all started giggling until the teacher said 'shhh!'

[Snack Time – A Little Problem]

The girls were all sitting together at their usual spot after class, but Julie couldn't help noticing something strange. Agia and Jessica weren't speaking to each other at all. They were sitting across from each other, not even exchanging a glance.

After the school bell rang, signaling the end of the day, the kids filed out of the classroom. Julie, Jessica, and Nicole hopped onto the school bus, while Agia and Diana walked off toward the gate. On the bus, as the vehicle hummed down the street, Julie leaned over to Jessica.

Julie: *whispering * Hey, Jess... why don't you talk to Agia? You guys are both sooo cool. You'd make the best team!

Jessica: *looked at her with a frown* She doesn't like me. She's always giving me weird looks.

Julie: She's just shy. You have to give her a chance.

Jessica: I don't want to.

Julie: *pouting * But you're both my besties! It's no fun if you don't talk! Please try, Jess? Just say 'hi,' and see what happens.

Jessica: I don't know... it's not that easy.

Julie crossed her arms and puffed her cheeks out in frustration.

Julie: *dramatically * Why are you always so stubborn? You're not gonna get anywhere just sitting there all quiet!

Jessica sighed and shook her head, looking literally in Julie's eyes.

Jessica: I'm not a talker, Julie. *serious*

Julie:  Well, you don't have to talk like me. Just try anything! I want all of us to be friends, like when we were little.

Jessica: When we were little? *she just raised an eyebrow*

Julie: *blushed, her cheeks turning a soft pink, realizing she'd let the secret slip out* Uhm... I mean, I was just... uh... making up a s-story, you know?

Nicole: *sipping her juice, totally unbothered * She was making an imaginary story where you guys were super close friends when you were younger. *pauses to take another sip* She even said you were sisters in that story.

Julie's face turned an even deeper shade of red as she shifted awkwardly in her seat.

Julie: *laughing nervously * I, uh, maybe over reacting a little... but... it could happen one day, right?

Jessica blinked, her lips twitching into a small, curious smile.

Jessica: You really thought we could be sisters?

Julie nodded quickly, her hands fidgeting.

Julie: Well, yeah! I just... I like the idea of us all being together... forever.

Nicole: *grinning * She talks about it all the time! Like, every day. We should probably start charging her for all the stories she tells us.

Julie gave a little chuckle, still embarrassed but secretly pleased that it turned out into a funny fact that Julie is making up a story, which she wasn't...

Julie: I just... want you all to be close. That's all.

There was a brief silence before Jessica turned toward her, eyes softening just a bit.

Jessica: Well... I don't know about sisters, but I guess I can try being nicer.

Julie: *beaming* Yay! We're making progress!

Nicole playfully nudged Julie.

Nicole: Don't go writing any more sister stories, okay? You might accidentally convince her to buy you a puppy next.

Julie giggled, the tension easing as they continued their ride home, feeling a little more hopeful that things might just start to change.

I think this is long enough :) Any suggestions?~