Champion [2014]

Chapter 9- A Friend Forgiven

As soon as Becca walked over to Melissa, all her happiness of winning the tournament vanished. Melissa was sitting in a chair in the lobby, tears running down her cheeks. It was obvious she'd had an argument with her mother.

Becca sat down next to the agitated girl. "Melissa..." she said, unsure of what to say.

"I know." Melissa interrupted, a fresh wave of tears hitting her. "You don't have to say anything; I already know what you're going to say. You don't have to tell me that you hate me, or why-it'll just make me feel worse." She looked miserably at Becca. "I've been so confident, and so... mean... to everybody. Especially you... I've been horrible to you. I actually thought I could win the championship. And now look at us... you're the champion, and here I am... I've just been humiliated in front of the whole audience."

Becca felt sick. "Melissa, that's... that's not what I think at all," she said gently. "I don't-I'm not mad at you. I'm sorry that you were treated like that. No one deserves to be treated like that in their moment of glory. Has she always treated you badly?"

Melissa sniffed and rubbed her nose. "No! She has always wanted me to win first place so she can brag to all her friends, 'My daughter is a champion gymnast!' It seems like all she cares about is me being famous. She never lets me do things for myself-it's always 'Melissa, do this!' and 'Melissa, do that!' It's like she's living my life for me-making decisions for me and saying things like 'Melissa says she does!' and 'Melissa wants this!' "

"That's awful," Becca said, immersed in Melissa's story.

"I always felt more confident when I made other people feel weak. I'm a big bully."

"Is there anything I can do?" Becca asked tentatively.

Melissa stared at Becca through puffy red eyes. "I just want one thing that I doubt you'll give me... but it will make me feel a lot better."

"What is it?" Becca said curiously.

Melissa hesitated before answering. "Forgiveness. And friendship."

Becca was so relieved, she laughed. "Are you kidding? Of course!" she cried, and held out her fist. Melissa looked at it, confused.

"You bump it," Becca explained.

A wide smile spread across Melissa's face. "Oh, yeah," she said. "And one more thing..." She held out her fist, too. "Congrats on the win," she said. Becca grinned. Their hands touched. It was just the beginning of a happy new friendship. And it was then that Becca felt like she had actually won something... Melissa's friendship.

THE END

So, that's it! The end! I'm so sad! :( :( :( Becca's on vacation. I hate when she does that. Finishing a story feels like losing a best friend. Seriously. You guys are all writers so you know how it feels. Please comment because I like reading them. And check out my other stories, Dangers of Planet Earth and My Own Four Cents. Love you guys! Bye!