DIAMOND KEYS

TEN

I didn’t go to school any longer, I was at Claire’s bedside all the time, I just couldn’t stay away.

“You can go now Michele.” Claire tried once again on Halloween’s Day.

“I’m not going! I just got here now.”
    
I was there as early as 7:00 am and I left as late at 9:00 pm, there wasn’t much to do at home anyways.

“It’s Halloween’s, you can’t be here today!”

“And you can be here?”
    
I rushed to give her a kiss on the forehead, which was burning hot, but I said nothing. “How are you feeling?”
    
She smiled “As good as I can ever be! I wonder why Doctor Gilbert wouldn’t discharge me.”
    
Because you are not well yet, dorrh!

She gave my hand a tight squeeze as she spoke softly. “Thanks for staying by my side all these time Michele, I really appreciate your efforts.”
    
I smiled back at her. She looked so sick and pale yet she didn’t sound so. I didn’t want to think about it too much because I knew it would affect me badly. One of my friends was a cancer patient, so unbelievable, and Claire of all people. Life could be so unpredictable.

“Why don’t you trust me Claire?” I asked, not even thinking before I spoke.

“What do you mean Michele?” she was so confused.
    
I sighed, “You know, you don’t tell me anything Claire. I mean, you don’t tell me the vital things that you should.”
    
She shook her head, “I still don’t get it.”
    
I looked straight into her eyes as I spoke, “You didn’t tell me when you and Marc started dating, and you didn’t tell me you have cancer. What were you thinking Claire? That I wouldn’t keep your secrets, or what?” My eyes were already becoming watery. “I tell you everything Claire, am I not worthy of your trust?”
    
I regretted all I said immediately I finished speaking. She was sick for chrissake; I shouldn’t disturb her with things like this.
    
Before I could speak, she was already opening her mouth to say something. “I trust you Michele, I even trust Clay. It’s just that, well … about the dating stuff, I thought you knew and about the illness… I…” She was hesitant to speak but I really wanted to hear what she had to say. “If I told you, you would have started treating me like an egg, just like you are doing now. You would have treated me like a baby and I did not want that.” She paused to smile then continued. “You would have been pestering me to take my drugs and you would pity me too much. You know stuffs like that.”
    
She had good reason because I would have done all that she said. “I understand Claire but later in future, tell me everything. I promise not to behave like a nanny.” I crossed my heart and gave her a hug.
    
The door swung open and the guys burst in with smiles on their faces.
“Hello!” Marc rushed to give Claire and I kisses on our foreheads.
    
Clay and Logan greeted us too in the same joyous way and I couldn’t help but notice their joyful moods.

“What’s up?” I asked.

“It’s time for our Halloween special!” Logan announced.
    
Oh! I remembered. We were reciting poems, for Claire. I could still remember mine, thank goodness.

“I’ll start first.” Clay said jumping to sit beside Claire on the bed. He took her hand in his and began.

“Friends will come, and friends will go
The season shall change and it will show
I will age and so will you,
But our friendship stays strong and true.”
    
Claire pulled him for a hug “That’s so beautiful Clay, when did you stop hating me?”

“I never hated you.” he replied.
    
Next up was Logan.

“Together we would laugh, together we would cry
With each other, we’d never be shy.
We’d often fight then sort it out, 
And at each other, we would never shout.
It’s because you’re my best friend!”

“Oooh!” she gave him a kiss on the cheek and shouted. “Next!”
    
It was me.

“Through tears and fights,
Through smiles, I knew everything
Would be alright,
Through love and hate,
Through betrayal and debate,
For you I would always have faith,
Being your sister as well as your best friend I knew
This friendship wouldn’t end,
By your side I would always stand
And you’ll stand by mine too,
Because that’s what best friends do,
So no matter what happens with us in life,
Through all of the wrongs
And all of the rights,
I’m here for you to be a best friend, that’s true,
’Cus I love you
And that’s what best friends do!”
    
I let out a sigh and jumped to hug Claire, I was given the longest poem to memorize.

“Michele darling that was great! Now it’s time for my superman, Marcus!” 

“Indeed” Clay whispered.
    
Marc cleared his throat then began,
“True friends are hard to find,
But there you are you come into my life.
You came to me in a perfect time,
I’m so happy you’re a friend of mine.”
     
He paused to hold her hand then continued.
“Yes it’s true we’ll be apart,
’Cus I’m here and you’re there
With you my friends I want to tell,
“Whatever happens we’ll be friends, forever!!”
    
He ended his poem with a kiss to Claire.
    
Claire was crying. She was deeply touched by our performance.

“Thanks so much guys, I can’t believe you thought of this. I love it. Group hug!”

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Love,
Prisca.