Max and I

Chapter Five

I was accepted to the job.

But I didn't do it at Sophia's house. I did it at a young woman's house. She had a preschool girl named Rosie. Rosie lived somewhere on the edge of town. The reason why I didn't do it at Sophia's house was that her mom was home late.

The first time I came to her house I just met her and we exchanged a few words. My mother talked with Rosie's mom.

When I told Sophia, she was surprised.

"What next? A real babysitter or even a day-care?" she asked me. "How crazy is your mom?"

"Sophia.... This is my decision, right? I wanted to do it too, so there goes your opinion, into the trash." I meant that her opinion was only hers and that didn't mean it was true.

"But you are a little kid, is that true?"

"Yeah."

"So you shouldn't apply for a job for adults."

"I'm saying again, Sophia, this is my decision, not your little opinion."

"Okay. Do whatever you want. The most important thing is if you go to my play or not."

I decided Sophia was a person who still wasn't too grown-up to understand these matters. So I left her alone with the job.

And the next day we were not having "personal opinions" anymore.

At recess, we traded anklets. She gave me one with a hot pink stone. Sometimes we liked to have "Dress like a friend" days where we looked like twins.

Sophia's hair was light brown and mine was dirty blonde. I cut it to shoulder length, and then our hair was the same. We put on the same nail polish. I even pierced my ears and bought a similar type of earrings.

When she came over to my house, my mother said that I was a very close friend with Sophia.

"The perfect match," we said and smiled.

I didn't remember about Max anymore. I was just too busy with my friendship with Sophia. I didn't know how Max felt, but one day I knew I must get back to him.

Usually I was talkative, so when I was silent, daydreaming about Max, Sophia asked if I was all right.

"Of course. I'm just thinking."

"Thinking about what?"

"Life."

"Yeah, cool. I think about it sometimes too." Sophia had sat down into her chair for a second time, doing her multiplication again.

I liked to talk with Wayne about Sophia.

"Really, do you like to trade things?" she asked wide-eyed. She was young and was still a little confused about girl habits.

"Yeah. I guess you need to be older to understand," I said.

Wayne was clearly not interested anymore.

Once I was outside playing a game and I saw Max go by on his bike. He was riding with Beca.

He didn't say hello to me.

Should I say hello? I wasn't sure.

"Hi." I waved and smiled at him after all.

Max didn't look at me. He was speaking to Beca and seemed to think I was like no one.

"Hello, Max," I said this time, louder and clearer.

Still, no response.

Was the friendship breaking away? No, no, Meg. Don't think about it. He just didn't notice you. I thought, as I wiped a tear from my eye. I shouldn't think. All was OK. Max was just talking to Beca, I reassured myself.