A New Friend For Kathy

Chapter 2

       Fortunately, she didn't fall into a puddle this time.

   " What is with my life?!" she yelled . She wanted to cry. She wanted to change.

      Suddenly, a hand grabbed her arm to help her up. Kathy was shocked. She didn't see anyone near just now. She brushed off dirt on her uniform before turning to see who had helped her.

         It was a girl. About one or two years older than her. Kathy noticed braces in her mouth. She had plaited brown hair down her back and she was wearing a white blouse with dark blue pants.

  "Hi, i'm Lucy. You okay?" she asked, holding out her hand to shake.

  "Yes, thanks. I'm Kathy," Kathy told her.

          Seeing that Kathy was still standing there staring at her, Lucy grabbed her hand to shake instead.

   " Right, where are you going? Home? " asked Lucy. " Well, you got time? Just a few minutes, kay," continued Lucy without waiting for a reply.

   " Um, i.." Kathy tried to say. She thought about what Lucy said. She's never heard anyone talk that quickly. What did she mean?

            Kathy watched as Lucy jogged back around a corner. " Come on, don't be shy. Follow me," she said.

          Kathy did as she was told and followed her. Behind the corner she saw a big cardboard box which Lucy walked into. It stood there at the side of a grey dull pathway. It was huge. Five children could fit in there and still have space to lie down.  Beside the box were a few paint cans and a paint brush. Kathy walked inside the box as well.

          It wasn't as dark as she expected. There was a torchlight tied to the top of the box, illuminating the empty space. Lucy smiled at Kathy. " What do you think? Its not really done yet, though,"

          Kathy said nothing. She didn't know what to say.

        Lucy waited. " I plan to use it as my play box. You know, i can bring all my toys in here or i could also read my books." Lucy smiled brightly as if it took a lot of work to make this box.

          " Well, it really nice. And convenient too.".  Kathy wondered why Lucy would want to show this to her.

       " Yeah, i like it too. Took some time but finally i got it done." she said, smilling to herself.

          Kathy looked around in the dim light. It smelled of dust and carboard in there. She nearly coughed but resisted.

      " A play box? " she asked.

      " Yeah, i plan to use it as my secret hideout. Well, its not so secret anymore. Especially after i've painted it in bright colours. But i think nobody comes through here except you,"

    There were some flaws in her project but Kathy didn't want to be rude by pointing it out.

     " Any comments? That's the reason i'm showing you this. Good or bad, dosen't matter," said Lucy.

    Kathy saw this as her chance. " I would suggest you clean up this place, add a few torches maybe and possibly cut holes as windows." said Kathy as politely as she could.

   " Fascinating. Good idea, Kathy." said Lucy. " Thanks. That's what i'll be doing then."

          Lucy got out of the dusty box with Kathy behind. Then she shook Kathy's hand.

   " Goodbye then. And thank you for suggesting." said Lucy.

          She seemed to be thinking for a moment. " You know," she finally said. " If you don't have anything to do, you could come help. That is if you want to. I'm not forcing you. It's your choice,"

           Nobody had ever offered Kathy to help them. Nobody actually relied on her. She was kind of interested with Lucy's project.

   " Sure, i'll be glad to help out," replied Kathy without thinking.