Opal's Story

You've Got A Friend In Me 💛

We arrive back home and Mike lets us stay up for a while

I take this time to speak to Tracy, she gives me a smile when she sees me

'Hey Opal!' She says

'Hiya' I say smiling

'I just wanted to thank you, for helping me since I got here, and for being my friend, many would head for the hills' I say laughing softly at the last bit despite it being bitterly true

'Well I'm not going anywhere' she says, taking my hand

'You have no idea how much that means to me' I say

'Oh I do, I was like you once' she says

Her eyes well up and I give her a hug

'But you're okay now' I say

'And you will be too' She says

We pull away and she gives me a comforting smile

'I've got something for you' She says pulling out two items from her jacket pocket

I take the first and it's a mini smooth stone

'May seem ridiculous but I've used this for years to help me when I'm stressed, it really works, the smooth helps you through the rough' she says

'It's not ridiculous' I say, taking it in my hand the smooth feel makes me smile

'And then this' She says handing me a black frame with silver studs around the edges

I turn it around and it's the selfie of us both at the barbecue, a little message inscribed in the middle, with a bright yellow heart on the end

'You've Got A Friend In Me 💛'

'Oh Tracy I love it! Thank you so much!' I say excitedly giving her a big hug, bigger than any other

'Nobody's made me feel so accepted, so happy and so safe in years' I say

She puts her hand on my shoulder

'I'm glad I can do that for you' she says

There must be a catch. She's being so nice.

'So what's the catch?' I ask

She looks at me, confused

'Well I'm a new girl yes but why are you being so nice to me?' I say

'Because you deserve what I didn't have, Opal. You deserve friends and a family. You deserve a good life. And plus, I really like you already' she says smiling

I smile back, unable to say anything

'See you tomorrow' she says before giving me a hug and leaving

I wave from the doorway and she waves back before disappearing out of view

I look down at the frame, I've never felt so happy than in that picture. It wasn't a case of smile for the camera.

I was genuinely happy.

'Hey Opal what's that you've got there?' Mike says

I show him the frame and he smiles

'She's a good one, just like you' he says

I smile at him and give him a hug, I hadn't given him much chance but any friend of Tracys is a friend of mine

'I'm sorry for having a go at you today' he says

'It's forgotten. Don't worry' I say before heading up to bed

As I get under the covers, which is something I would never normally do. But Tracy gave me the confidence

My phone buzzes and I check it to see I've got a message

Hey Opal, it's Tracy

Just wanna say I'm so so proud of you, what you've achieved today is amazing, and it's been so nice to meet you! Hope we make many more happy memories ❤️

Goodnight xxx

I wipe away tears, she's so so sweet as I type out a reply

Hi Tracy

Thank you so so much, you've been so sweet and kind to me I couldn't ask for a better friend if I tried

Goodnight xxx

I send the text and place my phone on my bedside table before laying down and drifting into pleasant dreams