The Friend I Needed

One.

One.

“I’m here! I’m here.” A young brunette exclaimed running into the elementary school’s door trying to catch her breath, after all she literally ran all the way to the school with her high heels on her hand and bag on the shoulder.

 Even some pieces of hair had come loose hanging on the side of her face framing her pretty soft skin that was slightly tanned for the sun and had small beauty marks in her side of the face and chin, some of the ones near her nose looked like constellations that if you connected them it’ll show a beautiful diamond.

Her hair was a very light shade of brown almost honey-like with some reddish and blondish hairs here and there, her nose was kinda cute like a button and her almond shaped eyes had the prettiest shade of brown that sometimes with the sunlight looked amber like that were covered by light metallic brown thin rimmed glasses.

She had a fit body as she walked, ran and she had been training for years in the ice rink or the frozen lake in winters, she was a great skater and very passionate about it as much as she was for designing; the teacher in the front door had been best friends with the messy woman for many years so she just smiled brightly at her.

“Good afternoon, Oddie.” The blonde, blue-eyed teacher called her by her nickname, they were high-school best friends even though they didn’t study the same career in college, but they did share a few extracurricular classes for the fun of it always sticking together. “Just one minute late, uh?” The brunette gave her an annoyed look causing the laughter of the blondie. “I’m messing with you.”

“Sure, so funny.” She stood straight fixing her cream-colored skirt that reached a few inches above her knees, a wine-colored button-up dress shirt that showed the right amount of cleavage that was hard to cover either way as she had nice buns up there as well as her behind, and wearing the sleeves rolled up to her elbows. “So Sally, where’s my boy?”

“Let me call him,” she walked to the room near the main entrance and called loudly for a kid. “Gabriel! Oddie’s here, sweetie!” She came back smiling brightly at her friend, Oddie was giving her a look that said ‘seriously?’ all written on her face. “What?”

“Charming,” Oddie sighed rubbing her forehead exhausted causing worry on her friend’s blue-eyes. “Don’t look at me like that, I’m not dying.”

“Well, that’s great to know.” A young kid with dark brown hair and deep blue eyes came to her with his backpack on his shoulder and an old blue ballcap on top of his head, his jeans dirty as well as his black and white converse shoes, even his blue shirt was dirty, Oddie arched an eyebrow in curiosity but Gabriel just shrugged it off, he was a quiet boy. “Let me guess, we gotta go back to the office, uh?”

“Sorry kiddo, if I don’t work you don’t get your cookies and converse.” He stuck his tongue out at her walking to hold her hand, he was not ashamed to be holding her hand different from other kids his age who hated to be seen like that, Gabriel just didn’t care. “We’ll get going now Sally. See you this Friday?” She called as she was walking out the door looking slightly at her friend who smiled softly.

“Make it Saturday!”

“Got it!” Sally sighed as she watched her friend walkingunning tugging the kid carefully exclaiming they had to hurry or she’d be in trouble.

“You never change, Oddie.” She looked at the picture in her phone where she was in the middle of Oddie and a handsome tall guy, the three of them smiling happily at the camera. “She’s still the same, Oliver… she’s doing great.” Sally locked her phone with a sad smile to change it to a brighter one when parents kept coming for their kids.

…

Meanwhile, Oddie was running down the street holding Gabriel’s hand who was trying to run as fast as he could, she just had ten more minutes to arrive to the office or her boss will have her head on the wall as a price and warning to never misbehave and always do what you’re told the way your told.

Ok, she was exaggerating but she did want to be on time as she was known to be always at the minute you asked her to be there, she loved to be punctual always hating the thought of making people wait.

“Come on, Gabe! We’re almost there!” The poor kid couldn’t even breath well to answer so he just kept running like crazy.

“Do you realize that thanks to you, I am the fastest kid in P.E. class?!” He said in between breaths causing her to smile slightly.

“You should be grateful that I made you get more resistance then!”

“That’s not the point, mad woman!” As they arrived at the building they ran to the stairs as she couldn’t wait for the elevator to come down, her boss was about to have a very important meeting for a new project and she, being the designer in chief and his P.A. needed to be there. “Stairs? You’re really mad!”

“Shut up and run or I’ll make you run ten laps around the house at 4:30am!” His eyes went wide so he kept running fast behind her. “Damn, almost late,” she was about to come closer to the meeting room which had crystal walls so everyone in there could see all around, at this Gabriel stopped her next to a wall.

“Wait, wait.” She was about to ask what was wrong but he answered by pointing at her flat shoes making her go crazy changing into her heels again passing her bag and shoes at him, but before she could leave he stopped her again putting the strands of hair right behind her ears making her look more presentable. She smiled at him as he kissed her cheek smiling sideways just like his father used to do. “Good luck, I’ll be in your office.”

“Thanks, pumpkin. Call Emerald for food if you want and don’t break anything”. He nodded watching her walk professionally into the meeting room getting everyone’s attention, he smiled proudly before going into her office.

…

Two hours later, Oddie entered her office with some blue prints, a USB device, a disk and some more folders on her hands looking tired as hell, she put everything on her desk looking to the side where Gabriel was in the sofa doing his homework. She smiled at his concentrated face remembering the same exact look on someone before him, damn she missed Oliver a lot.

“Hey, pumpkin.” She said going to sit next to him with a smile on her face, she usually smiled a lot when she was not running as if the devil himself was after her. He looked up at her smiling as well with his ball-cap still on his head.

“Hey, witch.” They both laughed at the small jokes they shared, he looked down at his homework frowning. “I don’t understand this, it’s hard to pay attention to something so boring,” she looked at him confused.

“What’s boring?”

“World history.”

“Well, maybe I can help you out with that.” Oddie stood up going to her bookshelf right next to the window of her office and she got out a big black binder then walking back to him handing it over to his smaller hands. “This might be useful.”

“What is this?” He looked at the pages curiously then his eyes went wide. “Where did you got this from?” She chuckled at his amazement.

“When I was in college, we had classes of world history and art culture. They thought us many things from religion and war but, instead of just focusing on the battles and all of that, we got to learn from the artistic point of view how all those situations happened.” She chuckled at his curiosity as he looked at every page rigorously. “Might not be the information they teach you in school but can help. In there, you’ll find my personal research and notes I took back in the day.”

“Can I take it home with me?” His eyes light up as if he just won the lottery causing a small chuckle from her.

“Sure, but keep it safe as I may use it in the future again.” Oddie knew perfectly well that he was very caring of his stuff kid and very responsible, she raised him right as far as she knew. “Did you eat anything, pumpkin?”

“Not yet,” his eyes glued to the binder, his notebook and school book of history comparing and analyzing every detail of the text he was reading.

He was so curious that he had a certain love for learning new stuff, but not the school way as he said and quote: ‘They don’t know how to explain things in an interesting way, is like they just want you to remember the words but never understanding them. School’s boring unless they know how to teach and get your attention and curiosity’.

Yeah, he was a smart and analytic kid having his mind working wonders even though, never forgetting how to be a child; he was no genius but did had the brains.

She frowned at his answer resting her hands on her hips giving him a look that he sensed, looking up at her he smiled shyly. “I wanted to eat with you,” sighing softly she smirked.

“Well, I just need to sign some papers and then we can go eat something. How does that sound?”

“Great, but no pizza please.”

“Yeah, yeah I know,” she sat down on her desk chair taking some documents from the folders she previously carried inside the office while fixing her glasses on her nose. “Mister healthy boy does not like pizza.”

“I do like it, just not as much as kids usually do.”

“Honey, you’re anything but a normal kid.”

“As you’re anything but a normal woman.” He smirked at his comeback getting a side grin from Oddie, who looked at him amused.

“Well pumpkin, just answer me this. What’s the fun in being normal?”

“Nothing at all, ma’am.” They both laughed getting back to work on each other’s tasks.

After half an hour they both were done and headed to the elevator to go to the basement parking lot where she had her car. Oh yes. She had a car and still ran all the way to the elementary school as it was not that far, and she was lazy enough to not move the car as that would make her lose precious time to go pick him up and get back in time. She didn’t really like to drive.  

As they passed the reception, Maya smiled at them both, she was on her mid-forties and was a total sweetheart always treating her and Gabriel with such care and love. Maya looked at them happily as usual waiting for Oddie to checkout.

“Afternoon, sweetheart.” She smiled at both gently, “and hello to you too, handsome boy.” Gabriel hid his face on the side of Oddie feeling a blush come to his face causing the chuckles on the ladies, “ready to go home?”

“Not yet, Maya.” Oddie answered quietly. “I need to go the nursing home, I gotta drop out some papers there.”

“Oh, so you finally agreed on being companion of an elder?” The brunette smiled nodding her head and signing on the time table then putting her fingerprint on the digital device. “Did you signed for the six months’ companionship or the whole year?”

“I was told I can start with the six month one and if later the elder and I agree with it, I can sign to get the whole year.” When she was done she grabbed her wheeled suitcase and bag on her side, her free hand holding Gabriel’s hand who was still hiding on her side. “I’ll let you know about it tomorrow as today I’ll get all the details and thankfully Gabriel can come with me.”

“Make sure to tell me, sweetheart.” Maya smiled at both who returned the gesture gladly heading to the door. “Have a good day you two!”

“Yes, ma’am!” They both said at the same time causing the woman to chuckle lightly, she was a very good friend of Oddie and would always give her advice in whatever she needed and help her as much as she could, she was that nice of a woman.

Oddie popped the trunk of the car open letting Gabriel put his backpack there and her suitcase as well, damn thing was heavy as hell for all the stuff she was taking home. When they both sat inside the car and buckled up, she started her car turning the radio on.

“So, pumpkin.”

“Yes, witch?” He was shuffling through stations looking for a good song.

“What do you want to eat?” She asked while driving out of the parking lot and going straight to the main road, “or do you want to wait until we get home and I can cook something?”

“I don’t know, it’s 4:15pm. So I’m really hungry right now.”

“I’m sorry, baby. I didn’t know the meeting would take so long.”

“It’s alright, can we go to the Maple Mug Café? They have good tasty homemade food and sweet tea.” She smiled at that driving through the streets of Vancouver, British Columbia.

They both loved Canada so much because of the calm serene place and the huge forest surrounding them. They didn’t live in the suburbs having a medium sized wooden cottage that her father and Oliver had built years ago for Oddie and Gabriel’s enjoyment, her father lived not that far from them just a little further into the forest and lake near a small town-like side of the city.

They were a small family now but still very happy, as she drove to the café they talked and joked around until she parked, both got out the car and into the place that smelled heavenly for two hungry youngsters.

“Oddie!”

A redheaded boy about her age exclaimed causing some of the costumers to look either confused or amused, the confused ones were not constant costumers in the café unlike the other who already knew about Nick’s and Oddie’s relationship. “So long don’t see you, woman,” they both hugged smiling making Gabriel frown, he didn’t like other guys hugging Oddie and this caused Nick’s laughter to grow louder. “Don’t worry little man, you know we’re just friends,” the boy stuck his tongue out jokingly making both older ones smile wider with affection and chuckle. “Please, take a seat I’ll personally attend you.”

“You don’t have to do that, Nick.” She smiled as they sat down on a booth next to the front window in front of one another. “I know you’re busy.”

“Nonsense, woman.” He smiled a bright white smile making his green eyes twinkle with happiness. “What kind of man I’d be if a didn’t treat my best girl the way she deserves?”

“A very bad one if you ask me.” Gabe said amused but hiding his smirk under his ball-cap, Nick only fake-cried at him even though he was already used to his ways.

“Exactly, that’s why my dear.” He stood straighter taking out his notepad and pen. “I’ll serve you today.”

“It’s not usual to have the owner of the place to take orders from customers,” she mocked earning a playful stare.

“Shut up and tell me what you want to eat.”

“The usual.” both said at the same time, now Nick couldn’t stop laughing overjoyed loving those two special people so much, he was such a joyful and happy person it was impossible not to smile with him.

“What a wonder,” he mocked softly not even needing to write down anything. “Nora!” He exclaimed to one of the chefs who stuck out her head from the small window that divided the cashier bar and the kitchen.

“Yes, boss?” She was a nice blue haired college girl a couple of years younger than Nick and Oddie, she had become a friend of Nick in his last year of college when she was just a freshman and since then, she saw him as her idol.

When he started operating and owning his grandma’s café, she ran up to him asking for a job which he gladly gave, she was great at cooking.

“The usual for pumpkin and witch.” Even Nora knew what that meant so she just smiled saying hello to the mentioned ones who returned the gesture. “Well, I’ll leave you both for a little as I have to go see the recruit.”

“Recruit?” Gabriel asked confused looking at Oddie but she just shrugged looking at her other high-school best friend.

“You got another victim under you sleeve, Nikko?” He didn’t like to be called that, but he made an exception for her.

“He’s not from around, just arrived a week ago and needed a job as soon as possible so me being the angel I am, helped him out and Tommy helped him get an apartment in town, as apparently they’ve been friends for a while. They’re neighbors now.” Oddie smiled at his declaration, he was not joking when he said he was an angel because he was indeed, he helped her a lot when she was alone with a few months old Gabriel and her being still in high-school.

Tommy was Nick’s cousin who was only a year younger and he also had become part of the gang of friends, Nora was the last one to tag along but she was great as well.

Even Maya was a friend of their group and they usually celebrated the holidays at Oddie’s place, her home being the coziest and having in thought that she was alone with Gabriel most of the time. Her father once called her friends and Maya and brought dinner and a party to them both, since then all the holidays were held there.

“That’s great, Nick.” She commented with a smile on her face, “like always you give a helpful hand to those in need.” He knew exactly what she was referring to and caressed her soft hair.

“I’ll always have your back, woman.” He then looked back at the kitchen as a big bear like human with chocolate hair walked around kinda lost.

Gabriel was almost completely sure that he was no human but an actual bear even though they couldn’t see his face. “Ok, I must go before the recruit breaks something, he’s awfully strong and big. I’m a little afraid to be honest.” Nick was just such a sweet guy that Sally and Oddie got so mad when his ex-girlfriend left him saying he was not enough man to be with, what an i***t she was.

“Good luck, Nikko.”

“Don’t call me that in front of him, I must look like a though boss.”

“You’re like a very sweet muffing with that cute smile you always give to everyone,” the little boy somehow managed to make the poor guy to blush as hell making Oddie to chuckle amused at his behavior.

…

After they were done eating and paid for their food, for Nick’s displeasure, they left to the Nursing Home as she only had one more hour to sign the compromise of being a companion to an elder. Gabriel never let go of her hand, he was used to be holding it since younger years following her around like a lost puppy, they walked up to the reception Oddie spotted a woman probably the same age as Maya, maybe a little bit older.

“Hi, I’m here to sign in for the companionship to an elder for six months,” Oddie said happily causing the woman to smile wide at her.

“Oh! You must be,” she made the ‘e’ longer while looking at her computer screen to see the appointment. “Odette Beaulieu, right?”

“Yes ma’am, that’s me.”

“Oh! That’s marvelous, darling!” She beamed but then her smiled dropped a little as she was looking at the papers. Reading the name of the elder that had been already chosen for her to be with, “I’m afraid you got a though one.”

She looked at the lady confused. The woman smiled at how adorable this young woman in front of her was, maybe this was fate as the elder she got was the most difficult to deal with.

“What do you mean?”

“Well, this is not the first time he has a companion,” Oddie looked at her still confused. “Mr. Cloutier is not a very charming man to be with to be honest. He’s not even that old but he doesn’t get along with people that well and that’s an issue, so his companions always sign out or he just kicks them out. You’ll be the third one this month.”

Well, that did surprise her but that didn’t mean she was going to give up on him. She was a woman who never gave up no matter what, so she smiled at the lady surprising her.

“Where can I find him?”

“He’s at the courtyard on a bench near the forest area, he always sits there so you can go say hi if you want.” Nodding lightly, she asked if Gabriel was allowed to be with her receiving a sign of approval from the receptionist.

They both walked to the courtyard as he was looking around at the old people with curiosity and she was looking for certain grumpy man. When she spotted him, she looked at the curious kid beside her.

“I need to go talk to him really quick. I’ll try not to take long so don’t go where I can’t see you and don’t bother the elders,” he nodded letting go of her hand hesitantly but then looked into her eyes wanting to ask something.

“You said that I could learn from old books, right?” She just nodded confused as to what he was saying right now. “If I’m curious about something and they’re willing to answer my questions with no problem. Can I ask them?”

Oh, so he was talking about the elders, she smiled at how comical it sounded when he called them old books.

“Sure baby, but don’t go too far,” she kissed his forehead smiling at him. “Remember, be where I can see you.” He nodded and started to walk around the courtyard never losing sight of Oddie.

She walked slowly on the wooden path that lead to different parts of the yard so the elders could walk easily, having fresh green grass around allowing them to walk there as well. As she got close, she saw the old man sitting alone with an angry scowl on his face, she smiled knowingly at him and somehow, she found him charming.

She stood in front of him with her hands holding each other on her lower back and a small smile on her pink lips, he was looking down so the only thing he saw were a pair of pretty heels.

“The last time a pair of heels stood before me, the owner was about to give me her address so I could send her letters,” he then looked up at her with a bored annoyed expression on his dull gray-bluish eyes. “Believe me, I am too old to have that happening again so, say what you want and get the hell out of my sight.”

She chuckled at this causing his frown to deepen, he had to admit her smile was pretty and curiously calm but, still he didn’t want any more companions.

“My name’s Odette Beaulieu and I’m your new companion for the next six months.” She smiled brightly at him, so brightly he felt his eyes could go blind by such light and by those simple words he knew that he was not going to escape so easily from this one.

He could recognize a expression like that anywhere, she looked like a woman on a mission and by the looks of it, she had never lost one without a fight.

“You won’t give up on it, uh?”

“Not at all.”