Time seemed to freeze for a moment as the words sank in. Abigail just stood there, opening and closing her mouth in confusion. She wanted to speak, but she couldn't form words. Carli watched her with bated breath, waiting to see her reaction. Finally, she managed to break out of her reverie,
"Why would he ask you?" She spluttered, staring quizzically at Carli. "He doesn't even know you."
Carli didn't seem to detect the spiteful tone by which she had spoken. Looking down, she shook her head slowly, as if she, herself was in disbelief of the situation. "I don't know...." She whispered. "But when we were talking, he made me feel so happy and wholesome." She smiled sheepishly.
Abigail didn't know why, but Carli's words seemed to spark an eruption of anger and jealousy within her, she had just described how Jake made her feel.
"But, Carli, isn't that what boyfriends are for?"
This was one thought that didn't seem to have occurred to Carli, and the lovestruck look on her face suddenly drained of all colour. "Please, Abby, don't tell anyone, it's just a one time thing...Please." Her voice was pleading, and it managed to make all of Abigail's hard feelings melt away.
"I won't." She watched as Carli's face lit up. "You can borrow one of my dresses."
As she said it, Carli jumped up form the couch and ran over to hug her. "Could I really?"
"Of course, what are best friends for? We can look through them after dinner."
"Oh thank you, Abs!" She smiled hugely.
"No problem." Abigail replied smiling back, but she was the only one who knew it was forced.
~§~
"I love this one!" Carli exclaimed later, twirling around Abigail's small bedroom. The tight-waisted, faded pink dress, swirling around behind her.
Abigail watched her progress, another fake smile painted onto her face. As selfish as it was, what she wouldn't give to be in Carli's position right now- to be going to the school dance; not just with the only person in her new school that she cared an ounce about, but also the boy here, that meant everything to her.
"It looks great on you." Abigail commented.
"I'm glad you think so," Carli answered quietly, sitting down next to Abigail on the bed. "Now c'mon, tell me what's wrong, you've been so quiet recently..."
"Well, it's-" She stopped herself abruptply before she could say anymore. She had been on the verge of telling Carli about how she felt about Jake (though she was rather unsure of it herself), but she couldn't do it. Couldn't ruin Carli's night like that, she had been so happy when she had told her about Jake asking her to the dance, how could she take that away from her? "It's nothing." She finished, in a very convincing tone, which would've fooled most people.
But after nearly seven years of being her best friend, Carli could see right through her. "You don't want me to go, do you?"
"What? Of course I do!" Even though she actually meant it this time, she had to work hard to keep her voice light and happy.
Carli scrutinized her for a moment before she let a smile escape.
The bed creaked then, as Carli got up and walked over towards Abigail's open closet. Abigail watched her as she went, curiousity etched onto her face. When Carli turned to face her again, in her hands, she was holding a beautiful strapless, ruffled, turqoiuse dress with a sweetheart neckline. She threw it at Abigail as she spoke:
YOU ARE READING
(You are Never) ALONE
Teen Fiction"Sometimes, when you're trying to find yourself, it takes more than just yourself to do it." It's a story about love, about hardships, about hope, but most of all about finding yourself especially when you never thought it was possible. Because ever...
