It's all about TRUST

Chapter 8

Holly, Chapter 8

I sat on my bed, crying. Could this really be happening to me? How on Earth was Alexis suddenly in the popular group? I had recently told her my biggest secret and this was how she treated me! We were best friends, no, more than that, we were like sisters. Now she’s just thrown me away like another piece of rubbish. You know what, she’s not worth it! I thought. I won’t let her treat me like this. I need to end our friendship before I get messed around again. Like before. At my old school I had a friend who sometimes was my worst enemy, and now this was a repeat of that friend all over again. If she wanted to be popular, then let her. Only soon she’ll be running back to me, begging for the forgiveness that she won’t get. I was going to end my friendship with Alexis. Tomorrow.

And that is exactly what I did. At break time, I walked straight up to her and told her straight.

‘Alexis, you’ve really upset me. I’m not a person who will let you push me around like this. We were friends just yesterday, but now… well… you’ve sacrificed me for popularity.’

‘What? Holly… we are still friends right?’

‘No, I don’t think we are. I will not allow you to use me like this. It’s happened to me before, and it won’t happen again.’

‘Holly! I’ve not freaking done anything!’

‘Yes you have, you’ve thrown me away for them.’

‘Well I’m so sorry Holly, but they’re my friends now!’

‘All you care about is popularity!’

‘That’s not true! Look at yourself!’

‘What? Since when have I cared about popularity?!’

‘I can’t believe I actually paid for all your make-up.’

‘It’s not about the money, Alexis. And it’s not about the popularity! You’re turning into a shallow b!tch! And I don’t like it. I don’t want to be friends with a shallow, bitchy hypocrite! When all your stupid, popular friends ditch you, you will come running back to me, and I won’t have you back. Not now and not ever!’ I shouted. Everyone was looking at me, so I grabbed my bag and ran out of the room crying, but Alexis’ words still managed to meet my ears.

‘I hate you! You ungrateful and inconsiderate b!tch! I never want to talk to you again!’

That was quite harsh. Even though it was me who had ended our friendship, the words still hit me like a boxer’s punch. Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me was an absolute load of nonsense. I could already feel the whole opening in my chest. But what has to be done has to be done, and it can be hard even if it is what is right, I thought.

I spent the next lesson sitting as far from Alexis as I could. When it came to lunch, Amy, a girl in my form who I didn’t know very well, came up to me and said, ‘What happened with you and Alexis must have been hard. I was wondering if you wanted to come and hang out with me, Lauren and Claire this lunch?’ I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Someone actually wanted to hang out with me!

‘Yeah, that would be lovely!’ I replied, smiling. Amy smiled back. It was a kind, genuine smile. Maybe she was a potential friend.

I had a lot of fun that lunch, getting to know Amy, Claire and Lauren. I found out that Claire was an experienced ballet dancer, and that Lauren did show jumping and dressage contests regularly. Amy, an elegant and fragile looking girl, actually was a black belt at ju-jitsu! I know, it was really quite shocking when I found out. I was the only person in the group who didn’t have a fantastic hobby. Oh well, maybe I could start horse riding or ballet or ju-jitsu. Maybe ju-jitsu was most appropriate for me, when Dowger was looking for mother and I.

Next lesson was not so bad. I sat next to Lauren in German, next to Amy in History and next to Claire in Biology. They were being so kind to me! At the end of the day Amy said, ‘See you tomorrow,’ friendlily. Lauren smiled at me and Claire was on my bus.

I let Claire sit by the window, then I sat down next to her. We began chatting about today’s events, then Claire asked me if I wanted to come to her Ballet show at two ‘o’ clock on Saturday. I said yes and that I was delighted to be invited, which I was. I was never invited to anything apart from whole-year parties so it was quite exciting for me, plus I had never seen ballet before so it would be a great experience. Claire seemed pleased that I could go and watch her, and soon we were talking about the party on Friday.

‘What are you wearing for Adam’s party on Friday?’ asked Claire.

‘Um… I’m not sure yet, probably just a Hollister dress,’ I replied, thinking of the one I wore when I was out shopping with Alexis. Alexis, Alexis, Alexis. There was still a hole in my chest, but it was starting to heal as I was forming new friendships. There was just one worry: Even though we were not friends, would she still keep my secret? Who knows?