You're On!

A Frenemy I Guess?

"It was the first day of my junior year in high school. But it didn't feel any different."

"It was recess. I was walking to the cafeteria to grab a lunch tray since I forgot to bring the one I packed."

"Then..."

"A girl bumped into me and made me dropped myself and my lunch tray to the floor. I was furious."

"I stared into her eyes angrily. But her eyes is clearly telling that she's very sorry."

"I forgave her, but turned away and stormed out of the cafeteria."

The boy just ran off without saying a word to Amelia. Amelia felt even more guilty for her clumsiness. She just stood there until Mazzie comforts her.

"Hey... If you really do feel guilty about it, then just give him a lunch to replace... This one. Afterwards, offer to wash his jacket, kay?"

"Hmph. You really know how to be very apologetic to people, huh?"

"What the- Were you mocking me or something? Sheesh, I was trying to help."

"Ok I'm sorry. Thanks for the suggestions. I'll do just as you say. Pay for his lunch and wash his jacket, right?"

"Yep, now go get em girl."

"Wait, what?"

"What are you waiting for? Catch up to him!"

Amelia couldn't help but feel like Mazzie's hiding another intention than just her trying to "help". Regardless, she decides to listen to her advice since she can't thought of any solution herself. With that shut-in personality of hers, she of course can't think of anything that fast.

Amelia caught up to the boy after chasing him for a while. She tries to call out to him but she already ran out of breath. She grabs his shoulders and he turned to her. He was annoyed since Amelia was the reason that he didn't get to have his lunch. He shrugs her off. Upset, she ran up to him and pulled his arm towards her to make him face her.

*Pant *Pant

"I was trying to say sorry!"

"Leave me alone. Stop causing me more trouble."

"Look, take these."

[Hands lunch over to his hands]

"Is this for the one that fell?"

"Yes and, can I have your jacket?"

"What for?"

"Can I wash your jacket?"

"No need to go that far."

"No seriously, I'm terrible with words. So take the lunch that I bought and let me wash your jacket as an apology from me."

*Sigh

"If you insist that much."

[Takes off jacket and hands it to Amelia]

"Ok then, I'll be right back"

"Hurry it up, recess is almost over."

Amelia rushes to the bathroom and washed the jacket. It was good as new, but another problem appears,

"How am I going to dry this up?"

[Looks around]

"Lucky me! This school has hand dryers in bathrooms."

Amelia tries to dry the jacket as much as she can. After, she went to her class to grab her spare jacket for the boy to wear. She met up with him and gave both jackets to him.

"Hmm? Where did you get a spare jacket?"

"It's my spare. Your jacket is still wet. I couldn't dry it enough for you to wear."

"Hmm..."

[Looks at Amelia from head to toe]

"What are you doing?"

"Nothing, it's just- How come you have a school jacket my size? You're kinda too small for this."

"Pft. Who cares? Just wear it for the meantime. I'll take this one home to dry it completely and give it back tomorrow."

"Sure. Just don't forget that you promised."

Amelia nods and they went separate ways. She felt very relaxed than before because she successfully apologized to the boy. But of course, the entire feeling would have to wait until she gives back the jacket.

She arrived in her seat just a second before the bell rang. Mazzie scoots over to Amelia to make sure that she hears her whispers. Amelia did the same.

"Hey! How did it go?"

"It went better than I anticipated."

"Congrats! So, are you friends now?"

"We became frenemies, I guess?

"Ooh... Ok. That's good."

(Nailed it!)

"What was that?"

"Nothing. By the way, why are you holding onto your jacket like that?"

"This isn't my jacket. It's that boy's."

"Ah, right- Wait! Why are you calling him 'that boy'?"

"I... Didn't get his name?"

"Girl! Are you serious?!"

"Whoa! What's gotten into you all of a sudden?"

"I was- Tch! Never mind."

"What? What did I do wrong?!"

"Nothing. Anyway, let's continue what we were talking about earlier."

"Ok?"

*Thoughts

(She's definitely up to something earlier. But what was she doing nudging me and all? Hmm... Put it on hold, for now I should just listen to her)

Time passes by just like that, Amelia's first day of school ended. She said her goodbye to Mazzie and watched her as she walks away. She was happy. She didn't think that she would make a friend as soon as school started. She was proud of herself.

When Amelia reached her house, she stood at the front gate, wondering about her life after this.

"I wonder... Would my friendship with Mazzie last? At least for even till the end of the week?"

"She's a nice person. Do I deserve such a friend?"

Amelia went into her house and saw her mom already cooking dinner in the kitchen. Her mom smiled at Amelia welcoming her home. Amelia replied with an even more cheerful smile. She went upstairs to freshen up.

Amelia couldn't stop thinking the answer to her question earlier. Doubt surrounds her mind and heart. She really hopes that her new friendship would last forever.

"But, what if she gets tired and bored with me and leave?.."

She wanted to cry at the thought but tries to stay positive. She decides not to think about it. But to just wait and see.

She went to the dining table downstairs for dinner. Amelia's mom was the only one sitting there. Waiting for the others.

"Hey mom."

"Sweetcake. Come, sit next to me."

Amelia sits on the chair beside her mom. Ah.. It's always like this every day. She would sit beside her and listen to her mom's gossips with her friends for the day. Except that, this time her mom was the one doing all the talking. Not a single word muttered from Amelia's mouth.

Amelia's mom noticed her daughter's upset face from the moment she came home. She wanted to understand her daughter's feelings by having a conversation about her gossips like always. But Amelia didn't even try to say something throughout the conversation. So, she confronted her openly.

"Bad day, Sweetcake?"

"What.. Are you talking about, mom?"

"Amelia, I was the one who gave birth to you. Me and your dad were also the one who raised you for 14 years. I know that something's bothering you when you make that face. Please, don't scare me like this."

"I.. It's.."

"Just say it, Sweetcake. I won't get mad. Even if it's about a boy."

"It's not a boy, mom. It's my new friend."

"You made a friend on your first day?! Mom is SO happy for you!"

"Thanks mom. But I'm worried that this friendship we have, won't even last till the end of the week."

"Why.. What makes you think that?"

"She's just TOO nice and kind and.. and.. just too good. As for me, I've been a shut in for years. What if she doesn't like me?"

"What are you saying? My daughter is just as kindhearted as her. And good in her own way. You don't have to be like her to be friends."

"But, all I know about are video games. She doesn't seem the type to get involved in the things I do."

Amelia just kept on letting out all of her negative thoughts. When her mother just listened and still thinks that she is the best in her own way. Not because Amelia's her daughter, but because Amelia is an amazing individual herself. It's just that, Amelia finds it hard to see that in her.

"Amelia, beating yourself up about the fact that you WERE a shut in, is not a good thing to do."

"But, I'm scared that she would-"

[Grabs Amelia's shoulders]

[Hugs Amelia]

"If she's right in her mind, she WON'T leave you. If she does, then that's because she doesn't see the good in you."

[Tears up]

"Then.. What if she DOES leave me?"

"There's 7 billion people in this world, just pick the best of that number to be your friend."

[Cries]

No more words were needed between them. Amelia kept on crying on her mom's shoulder. Her mom just kept patting her crying daughter's back to console her. Meanwhile Amelia's father and brother were watching from upstairs the entire time.

Amelia's mom saw the two and gestured them to give her a moment. They understood her and waited for a while.

After 2 minutes of crying, Amelia finally calmed herself.

"Thanks mom. I needed that."

"It's my responsibility, Sweetcake. But you never told me about her name."

"Oh! It's Mazzie Lionel."

"Heyo! What's for dinner?"

Ayden bursts in, pretending as if nothing happened. Followed by Amelia's father. They didn't even bother to ask what was all the crying about to not upset Amelia again. They hold their questions back till after dinner.

Amelia immediately went upstairs to hit the sack. Downstairs, Amelia's father asks a question first.

"Did someone bully her at school?"

[Furious eyes] - Dad

"Who are they? I'll destroy them." - Ayden

"Calm down you both. It's not about a bully." - Mom

"Then? MORE than ONE bully?" - Dad

"It's about her new friend, Mazzie." - Mom

"Amelia.. Made a new friend.. On her first day of school?"

[Disbelief] - Ayden

"What? Can't your sister make friends like you? Haa.. She's worried if their friendship won't last till next week." - Mom

"What? Oh.. But just because THAT happened, doesn't mean history will repeat itself." - Dad

"What's important is that we support her friendship with Mazzie. All the way." - Mom

(Pfft. 'Mazzie' huh?) - Dad

At that, the conversation ended. Ayden marched to his room for bedtime. Mom and Dad were left alone, still at the dining table.

"Mazzie?"

"Yeah. And here we are remembering the moment where we had a hard time naming her."

14 years ago...

"What should we name her?"

"Ayden starts with A, so she should start with A too, right?"

"Not necessarily. I looked up a few name options last night. And I think that Mazzie should be a good name for her."

"Well, I think that the name Aimee suits her."

"Mazzie's a derived spelling from Scottish meaning child of light or pearl."

"Aimee means beloved friend in French. Besides, she would be appreciated by her friends."

Both: Haa..

"We'll never come to an agreement at this point."

"Let us BOTH hunt for a name."

Mom nods and turned on her phone. Dad got closer so that he could see the screen. As time passed, their newborn daughter kept wiggling which made the couple giggle at their new child. Ayden kept poking at his new sister's feet and realizes just how small he was. Afterwards, they are nearly finished with their 'name hunt'.

"Ok. So all that's left are Arla and Amelia."

"Oh.. But I still liked the name Mazzie. Never mind, At least, Arla and Amelia both means free spirit."

"Yep, all we have to do is pick either."

"I vote... Amelia." - Mom

"I vote... Arla." - Dad

In the end, they still couldn't come up with a name. Until the light bulb in dad's head lit.

"Ayden? Do you want to call your sister Arla or Amelia?"

"Hmm... Ar.. Am.. Hmm.. I could only think of nicknames for Amelia, so I want that."

"Yes! Mommy won again!"

"Haa.. Ok then. That's settled, I'll go to the registration office tomorrow."

"Amelia~ Don't worry big bro will protect you from anything that will make you sad."

Mom and dad smiled at their son's reaction towards his new sister's name. And so, that ends the warfare of the newborn daughter's name.