I'm totally taken aback. I wish I heard her wrong. How could this beautiful, sweet, goody girl have done such bad things? No parents? I lost my dad when I was two but my mums always made sure I was ok. She didn't care but she looked after me. I look up and she's looking at me waiting for my reply.
"Sorry." I surprise myself by saying. Why am I sorry? Because she lost her parents? Because I judged her wrong?
"Oh there's nothing to be sorry about. I'm not ashamed or sad about my past." she surprises me by saying. It's worse than mine, and I'm even sorta ashamed.
"Why not? They're horrible things to do." I say not thinking of how rude that is.
She just laughs. "So now you're scolding me for being bad!"
Oh shit I am! "I mean.. errr."
She starts laughing hysterically and I can't help but laugh along with her.
"So.. Miss Bad Girl, eh?"
"Yeah. I was just with a bad group of people who led me on. I was always pissed and blamed everyone else for not having parents. The kids in school would tease me for my tacky clothes and yeah, I just got caught up in a lot of bad shit." she concludes.
"Interesting." I can't help the smile that plays on my lips as I think of this sweet girl Malia drunk and smoking weed.
She turns on her side and looks at me. I turn my eyes to meet hers and she smiles. I can't help but smile back.
"So what about you?" she asks.
"What do you want to know?" I ask turning back to look at the many branches above my head.
"Hmm.. how about the beginning because I'm guessing it's a long story."
"Ok, well, I was born in Sydney but moved here for dads work at two. He died and I was left with mum who only treated to my compulsory needs. I went out and skipped school, trashed houses and stole what I wanted." I didn't want to tell her anymore about me. I was always very personal and wasn't ready to open up, not even with her who I felt so close to already.
"Oh," is all she says.
I wonder what she thinks of me. Does she want me to get better like she has? I hope not, caus eI'm not one to change.
We sit in silence for a few minutes, pondering over each others past lives, until I finally break the silence.
"I got to go." I tell her. I need to take a walk before I go back inside. Find the best route out, a weak place in the fence or a forgotten side gate, then I just want to sit and scream the way I'm feeling now. If Malia wasn't here I'd be breaking down the trees. I hate my mum for sending me here.
"Ok." she says. She doesn't even ask why, which surprises me. I silently thank her for it and begin to pull my jeans back on.
"Do you know your way back?" she asks, already dressed.
"Yeah I'll be right." I tell her and finish tying up my shoes.
"Well ok then, seeya later." she waves goodbye and disappears into the bushes.
"Bye." I whisper, now wishing she would stay with me.
