Opal's Story

The Article

The house is so tense today, and every time Tracy is in the same room as us it's awkward to say the least

I want to help her. But I'll be hated by the others for as long as I'm here

The kids keep disappearing, heading off to go and do something and then coming back two hours later acting suspicious

'They better not be helping Tracy' Lily says to me

'I'm sure they're not' I say, whilst hoping they were

Lily doesn't hate Tracy, I spoke to her this morning and truthfully she doesn't want Tracy to go

She's not the only one.

Tee and Johnny come back, acting suspicious before leaving again

I don't really take much notice

AN HOUR LATER

I'm playing with Lily and Carmen when Carmen suddenly dashes off using the excuse she needed the toilet me and Lily just shrug it off and keep playing

She returns a while later and acts completely normal nothing suspicious

Maybe I'm just looking into it too much I don't know

'Be back in a second' I say before going to the garden

I want to help her, but I don't want to hurt the others feelings

But Tracys my friend. I should be happy for her

I know what I need to do.

I head up to the quiet room making sure nobody's watching me and as I enter, Liam and Toby spring up from the sofa

'We were just chatting' Tracy says

'If you say so' I reply

They leave the room and Tracy goes too aswell

'Where you going?' I ask

'Well I didn't think you'd want to be here with me' she says sadly

I give her a smile before saying

'I came to do the interview'

She looks relieved and gives me a hug

'I missed you' She says

'Me too' I whisper before I sit down

'Only if you...'

'Promise not to tell the others?' She says

I nod, she knew things would be awkward

She shuts her laptop lid and I'm confused

'I'm here for the interview?' I say smiling

'I know, I just wanna talk first...unless you need to be somewhere' she says

'I'm listening' I say

'I just wanna say that no matter where I am, what job I'm in, whatever happens next, you'll always be my friend, Opal. Not just a care kid. My friend. And I'm so grateful I got to meet you, you're so special and unique, and I know that even without me you'll be who I know you can be' she says

I wipe away fallen tears and turn to her

'Writing is your passion, and to be a writer is your dream and I'm sorry that I was so nasty to you, you deserve to be happy Tracy, you've changed my life and I'll be forever grateful to you for that, you have no idea how special and kind you are and I'm also glad I got to meet you...I'll miss you so much' I say truthfully

She gives me a smile, I'm guessing what I said really touched her because she gives me a cuddle

'I'll miss you too Opal but I'm only a call away' she says smiling