Unexpected

4. Diana

I have been attending Queens for a year now. It has been great fun especially since all my friends are there, but I feel left out out. Almost everyone of my school chums has a beaux, and I'm left all alone.

It's not like I don't have my pick of boys, they all throw themselves at me, I just can't seem to get the right one. Whenever I try to think up Mr. Right, my thought trail always finishes on Courtney, which is annoying.

So annoying that I am on a train to go and visit her right now.

So annoying.

But I can't stay mad at her, it's impossible. She so understanding. I feel like I can talk to her about anything, and what's even more annoying is that she listens. Even to the smallest things. It's nice.

Ugh. Why does she have to be so nice.

And she's also really funny once you get her to talk. Even though Courtney prefers to listen, she can make me laugh like no one else can - even Anne.

And she's also really pretty.

She is. She might not think so but she's positively exquisite. Her bright, blue eyes set in her dark olive-colored face. I've never seen anyone with olive skin before, it's gorgeous. And the way she bites down on her bottom lip whenever she's nervous is so cute.

Wait, did I just call a girl cute? I have to get off this train. I need to distract my mind from how perfect she looks when she... STOP! Look out the window...

There's some pretty green hills, and some fluffy cows or are they sheep? I dunno. It doesn't matter. Look at that bright blue sky, it looks exactly like Courtney's eyes...

NO!!! I DONT LOVE GIRLS!
I don't like girls! I don't love girls! I don't like girls! I don't love girls! I don't like girls! I don't love girls! I don't like girls! I don't love...

The whistle blew as the train entered the station.

If you don't like girls, then what are you doing here? A little voice in my head asked.

I don't love girls-I only love one girl, Courtney.

oOo

I walked along the gravel drive up to Aunt Josephine's house. With crunch that my feet made, the more butterflies appeared in my stomach.

What if she doesn't feel the same way? Then I'll just embarrass myself. I've got it, I won't tell her,
but I really, really want to. Uuhhhh. It's too late to turn back now.

I stood on the front steps, hand outstretched to the door. I couldn't do it. It was too hard. I turned around and sat on the steps.

"You're a coward, Diana Barry, do you know that?" I said out loud. I hugged my knees against my chest.

"No you're not," a voice said behind me. I cranked my head around the see the speaker.

s§s

Courtney:

I was on the second floor washing the windows. I always had this job because I was the only one who wasn't afraid of heights. After removing every soapy streak I leant back to admire my work. I peered through the - spotlessly clean, mind you - window pane. I saw a familiar dark haired maiden walking along the drive.

I hurried down, dropping my bucket and clothe at th top of the first flight of stairs. Straightening my hair, glasses, basically everything, I walked to the door.

I hesitated for a moment, my hand resting in the doorknob.

Maybe she didn't come to see you, Court. She must have made many new fancy friends at Queens, perhaps now you are just one of the help.

I shook those thoughts out my mind and opened the door.

"You are a coward, Diana Barry, do you know that?"

"No you're not," I say, before I could stop myself.

s§s

Diana:

She was there. She was right there. So close I could touch her.

Snap out of it, Di.

I stood up and smiled.

"Hello," I said.

"Hi. Um, why are you a 'coward'?" she asked.

I sighed, trying to buy myself some time while I thought up an excuse.

"I...um...I...uh..."

"You can tell me, Miss Barry," she said, putting her hand on my shoulder. My heart did a little flip.

"I...um...was too scared to go to the zoo," I muttered pathetically.

"The zoo!?"

"Yes. I'm too scared of all the animals."

"Oh, poor thing. Animals are nothing to be afraid of."

"Right, I know that now."

"Would you like to come in to tea, Miss Barry?"

"Yes please. And please call me Diana."

"Okay. Diana," she said, stressing my name.

oOo

I had such a lovely afternoon with Courtney. I feel I can just be myself with her. I didn't have to worry about manners, or acting like I belong here, I was just me.

"So are you still going to Finishing School?" Courtney asked.

"Yes. It was the deal with my parents; two years of Queens then Finishing School in Paris."

"Oh," she said, looking down.

"Don't worry, I'll br back. And I will come and visit during the holidays." She smiled at this.

"All the way from Paris?" she sounded skeptical.

"Maybe it's a bit far."

"Just a bit."

oOo

The sun was just touching the horizon, making the sky a bright orange, as Courtney saw me to the door.

"Goodbye, Diana," she said, hugging me.

She's a really good hugger.

"Farewell, Courtney," and with that, we went our separate ways. Me, to the train station and all it's endless possibilities, and her, back into the house to continue cleaning windows.

s§s