The Power of Destiny

Chapter Four

    “Friendship is the true treasure.” – Kelly S.

Lorna had had her things parked. She looked around her room for anything she was forgetting, but there was none. She decided to stroll to Ollie’s house for final goodbyes.
When she got to Ollie’s house, she found her in her room. She was cleaning a large wrapped gift.
“Ollie,” Lorna called as she entered the room.
“Lorna,” Ollie replied, surprised to see her. She dropped the gift she was holding and went to hug her. They clung to each other tightly and started sobbing quietly. They were really going to miss each other.
Lorna was going to stay with her aunt in Oxford, because she would be going to a school there while Ollie would remain here.
They finally separated from each other and Ollie collected the gift from the bed.
“Lorna,” she said and handed it to her.
“Thank you,” Lorna said and received the gift exuberantly. “Can I open it now?”
“Of course, you can.”
Lorna opened it and smiled with excitement. It was a picture of her and Ollie during their graduation ball. Ollie wore a peach scented spandex minidress with six-tier ruffled skirt; a peach satin tricot stole with ruffles and a peach suede shoe. Lorna wore a mint green scented spandex minidress with six-tier ruffled skirt with a white and green satin tricot stole with ruffles and a mint green suede shoe. It was an evening ball and they’d looked like princesses.
Ollie opened her box of accessories her mum had given her, opened it, and brought out two necklaces with pearl heart-shaped pendants. She gave one to Lorna and fastened the other one on her neck.
“They’re beautiful. They almost look… ” Lorna said as she fastened hers to her neck.
“Magical,” Ollie cut in.
“Precisely!”
“My mum gave them to me.”
“Thanks for the gifts. Do you have a copy of the painting?”
“Yes,” Ollie replied, opened the door of her wardrobe, and brought out another painting. It was the same with the one she’d given Lorna. She put it on her bed and sat down. “I drew them on Friday after school.”
“They’re very beautiful, you drew them well.”
“When will you be goin’?”
“This afternoon, when my aunt comes.”
“Hope you’ll remember me when you get there?”
“Of course I will, and this necklace will never leave my neck. Hope it wouldn’t wash off?”
“I don’t think so.”
Lorna picked up her painting and Ollie put hers beside the wardrobe door and they both left the room. Ollie went to Patricia’s room which was beside the stairs and knocked.
“Ma Patricia,” Ollie called after she’d knocked.
“Yes, who’s it?” her voice asked from within.
“It’s me, Ollie. I’ll be gone to Lorna’s house for a few minutes.”
“Okay, take care.”
“Thanks ma,” Ollie said and left the house with Lorna.
They entered Lorna’s room which was still intact, although few things were missing.
“Everywhere is quiet, are Daisy and Darrell asleep?”
“Yes, and mum and dad have gone to take Aunt Lucy from the airport. Ma Eunice is the only one with us for now.”
They both sat down on the bed and a ‘meow’ sound was heard from the stairs.
“Isn’t that Stacie?” Ollie asked.
“No,” Lorna replied and a beautiful white little cat ran into the room. Ollie got up and the cat rested on the carpet.
“She’s beautiful,” Ollie said and stroked the cat warmly. “Is she yours?”
“No.”
“Who owns her?”
“You.”
“Me?”
“Yes, she’s yours. My mum gave her to me but I think you’ll need her more than I do. Maybe, I can tell Aunt Lucy to get another one for me.”
Ollie jumped and shrieked at the news, she was absolutely delighted. She hugged Lorna and thanked her. She disengaged herself from Lorna and carried the cat into her arms. “Have you given her a name yet?”
“I guess you’ll be in a suitable position to give her a name.”
“Then, her name is Sally,” Ollie said and looked at the cat that ‘meowed’ in appreciation. Lorna moved towards her wardrobe and opened it. She brought out a medium-sized box from the wardrobe and closed the door. She handed it to Ollie who dropped Sally on the carpet gently, collected the box from Lorna, and dropped it on the bed.
“What’s in it?” Ollie asked looking surprised.
“You could check it out,” Lorna said and Ollie opened the box. It was a teddy bear and a night gown. “That’s a Barbie lavender night gown with a floral print robe and a matching teddy.”
“Wow!” Ollie exclaimed in wide-eyed surprise. “Oh Lorenina, you’re so full of surprises and gifts. Thank you.”
The gown was so lovely. It had Barbie’s name prints on it. The teddy had a silver bow-tie, brown eyes, black nose, and a furry body. Ollie took out the gown and examined it before putting it back into the box.
Just then, a car horn was heard and that suggested Aunt Lucy had arrived and Lorna would soon be gone. Ollie’s face suddenly turned pink and her eyes glistened with tears. Lorna had already started crying and they both hugged each other once more, this time was longer. They held their head together and sobbed. They’ve never been separated before.
“Don’t worry, I’ll come visiting during the holidays,” Lorna said amidst tears. They separated from each other and looked at their necklaces.
“We’ll remember each other with these,” Ollie said and Lorna looked at her. They came closer to each other and held out their necklaces.
“Best friends, today, tomorrow and always,” they both chorused and hugged each other once more.
“We’ll always remember that we were and always will be best of friends… ” Lorna said.
“… anywhere we are,” Ollie completed the sentence.
“Of course.”
Aunt Lucy had entered the house and they quickly wiped their tears. Lorna had three bags and Ollie helped her to carry one with Sally tailing her. They carried the bags outside and put them inside the boot of the X-trail classic.
Lorna greeted her aunt and Ollie followed suit. She had to rest for some minutes and refresh herself before going back to Oxford with Lorna. Lorna and Ollie were pleased to have some few minutes to spend before they travelled. Sam, Ciara, and Brinnie had come to Lorna’s house also to say their goodbyes. Robert had also come from work to see Adrian and Alice and also Lorna. Everyone knew the Cranes’ and the Flanders’ to be best of friends and it had all started with Lorna and Ollie’s friendship. Adrian and Alice knew about Lilliana’s death but had decided not to let their children know.
Lorna went to the sitting room where her mum was.
“Mum, can we go out and play?” Lorna asked.
“Of course you can, but where are you goin’ to play?”
“At the park down the road,” Lorna answered.
“How many of you are going?”
“All of us,” she answered using her hands to indicate where Ollie, Sam, Ciara, Brinnie, Daisy, and Darrell were standing.
”Okay then, but make sure you come back before 2:00pm, its past twelve now.”
“Thanks mum,” Lorna replied and kissed her mum on the forehead.
Ollie, Sam, Ciara, Brinnie, Daisy, and Darrell together with Sally all went to a park to spend their last time with Lorna. They ran, jumped, laughed, talked, ate, and played. They promised and wished, laughed and cried, ate and drank. After their last moment of enjoyment, they went back home before the time given by Alice for them to return.  
Lucy had taken a short rest, eaten and showered and it was time for them to go. Lorna entered her room changed from the dress she had worn before and wore a grape spandex tube top and leggings with a multicoloured wrap and a bow. Ollie entered Lorna’s room just after she’d changed into the other clothes.
“Lorna, I’m going to miss you,” Ollie said.
“And I’m going to miss you more,” Lorna said and they both got closer and held each other hands, facing each other.
“Can’t stop admiring you… ”
“I feel alive by your side,” Lorna cut her.
“Your heart is loving and tender.”
“Your smile is full of warmth.”
“Your words are caring.”
“Your touch is motherly.”
“Your words of encouragement are touching.”
“Your feelings are forever true.”
“Because nature is our world and friendship is our pride. Best friends for life. You’re my BFF,” they both said and hugged each other for the last time.
Robert had already gone back to the hospital and Lorna’s bags were already in the car.
She gave everyone a last hug and went towards the car. Daisy, Darrell, Eunice, Sam, Ciara, Brinnie, Ollie, and Sally looked on as Lorna entered the car with Adrian, Alice, and Aunt Lucy. They all waved at the car as it reversed. Daisy and Darrell cried as they waved, Sam and Ciara’s eyes were moist with tears as they also waved. Brinnie couldn’t hold herself so she clung tightly to Eunice, backing the car. Ollie simply clutched her teddy tightly and looked on while Lorna waved and she waved back. She felt tears dropping and Sally nuzzling at her feet, and she knew she was not going to be the same. She hoped she was not going to be dull again since the only person who had encouraged her was gone. A wave of confidence and warmth flowed through her, a sort of relieving substance, but she knew it was not going to last. She was not going to be the same Ollie anymore and she felt sad. Lorna felt the same too but she had a stronger heart than Ollie, moreover she wasn’t going to be the same Lorna.