LOVING A MANNEQUIN

Chapter 7: Let us be Best Friend

At the police station__

"Ms. Heavenward and Ms. Smith, please sign the documents." The police lieutenant said, pushing gently the folder with the content of our testimony on the table.

I moved forward, clasping my hands on the table. "Sir, about the stranger who helped us, are you really going to arrest him?"

"Yes because he almost killed four people. But don't worry Ms. Heavenward, we won't make things hard for him. He may arrested for investigation but we will release him eventually if we found no other offence from him."

"Thank you Sir." I went to the paper and signed my name on it and then pushed it towards the girl next to me whom I known as Melanie Smith.

She quickly signed her name. "Mr. Handsome, It's done. Can you send us home now?" 

"Send you? Why would I send you? You know how to play around but you can't go home by yourself?" The police lieutenant said, furrowing his brows.

The girl bang her hand on the table as she stood up which startled everyone present inside the station. "Hey you rascal. If something happens to us when we go home alone, you are responsible." She grabbed my wrist, "Barbie, let's go."

I pulled off my hand, "Hey, hey, I am not done yet. I have another important thing to ask the lieutenant."

Melanie scanned me, frowning. "What are you going to ask him?" 

"It's something serious. Let go of my arm so we can talk properly. 

"Okay." 

I sat back again and faced the lieutenant. "Sir, about two days ago, did someone report a hit and run case here?"

The police lieutenant thought, "It seems so. Why did you ask that?"

"Because I was one of the victims."

"Oh, I'm sorry Ms. Heavenward. I am not the one who handles that case but wait I will look at the files." The police lieutenant checked each folder arranged in a box case in the cabinet behind his chair. "Yes, we have it here. Current hit and run case." He brought the folder on me. "Is this one?"

I examined the content of the paper. I found my picture on it lying on the hospital bed but the picture of the gentleman in the accident with me which I was looking forward to seeing, unfortunately, there was none. There was nothing about him even a single blurry photo.

"This-this, sir, why is it only me here? Where is the gentleman?" I stuttered, showing him the folder. 

Melanie suddenly drew in to peep on the file which was only resulting in the two of them bumped their heads at each other. "Damn!" Melanie cursed. 

The police lieutenant instantly cared for Melanie, "Ms. Smith, I'm sorry. Are you alright?" He checked Melanie's head and even blew it while rubbing the spot where Melanie was complaining as hurting.

I cleared my throat. "Erm… Erm…"

The police lieutenant quickly returned to his seat embarrassed as he realized what he just did. Melanie was grinning ear to ear. 

"This brat." I mumbled in my mind, shaking my head. 

"Where are we Ms. Heavenward?" The police lieutenant referred me again. 

"Barbie, let me see the files." Melanie extended her palm. I looked at her, wondering before I handed her the files. 

Her eyes and mouth broadened as she saw the photo. "I knew it!" She blurted then observed me. She stepped closer on me and compared the photo on my face. "It's you? No wonder you look familiar the moment I saw you."

I wrinkled my brows. "Why?"

"Because it was me who sent you to the hospital. It was me who found you bathed with blood on the road side."

I rose up hastily in thrill and anxiety. I clutched her elbows. "So did you also find a man lying next to me?"

Melanie struggled herself out of my hand. "Hey hey Barbie, you're squeezing me too much."

"Oh I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I just got excited." 

She tidied herself and her skirt. "Well, sorry to let you down but I didn't find a man there. I only found you alone."

I slammed back on the chair. "How was that possible?" Tears shed from eyes but I wiped it quickly. I picked myself up and offered a handshake to the police. "Thank you for tonight Sir. It's already getting late, so please excuse us." 

I grabbed my backpack and stormed off. Melanie chased me. "Barbie! Barbie! Wait!" 

I stopped walking and turned around to wait for her. "What is wrong?" 

She grabbed my hand and smiled at me. "Well, come home with me." Without waiting for my reply, she hauled me to the road side and waved her hand to a cab.

Before the cab stopped in front of us, a brown shining luxurious sports car beeped and speedily parked next to us. He lowered down the window and stuck out his head.  With a normal expression, he said, "Get in!" 

Shamelessly, Melanie plastered an excited smile to the police as she was still hauling me. I turned my head to the cab driver who also peeked his head from the window. "Mister, I'm sorry."

********

Melanie poked the police's nape with her fingers. "Hey, you do look cold but you actually are a good gentleman. Nice job." Melanie gave him a thumbs up, purposely showed them on the head mirror of the car to make sure he could see it. 

I felt embarrassed with her. I secretly nudged her on her flank. "Melanie, behave."

She pressed her index finger vertically on my lips as she winked flirtatiously on me. "Psssh, just pretend you saw and heard nothing."

I wagged my head on her, giving her a hint for how embarrassing she was. 

She sighed and sloped her body on the car seat. "Okay, I surrender." 

I got relieved as she quieted down but in a minute she spoke again. She offered her hand on me for a shake. "Barbie, let's be best friends." She smiled sincerely at me. 

I stared on her hand up to her face and back to her hand again. I was surprised by her so I was unable to react immediately. Impatient, she grabbed my hand and interlocked it with hers then shook them. "That is more I like. Today onwards, we are already best friends." She flashed her left brow on me. 

"Why-Why?" I stammered. 

"Don't you think we are destined to be best friends? Look, I save you, you save me. For so many people, why are we designed to meet each other twice when we are in trouble? Doesn't that mean we are soul mates?" 

"I don't think we can be best friends."

Melanie's happy expression suddenly turned sour. "Why? Don't you think I don't deserve you?" 

I waved my hands. "No. No. I just think I am not worthy of you."

She hugged me. "Barbie, forget about who doesn't deserve who. Anyway, I like you to be my best friend. Just agree with it."

"This---"

"We're here!" The police cold voice echoed. I and Melanie instantly separated fast like a group of ants being dusturbed.

"Thank you sir." I bowed a bit. The police just nodded with his eyes eyeing Melanie and then left. 

**********

I was dumbfounded as we entered the silver gate of the house. It wasn't that big but it was still overly spacious for three people. There was also a small pool near the walking side. Seeing it, I felt like wanting to jump and soak myself to release my problems and pressures. 

I just tailed Melanie while observing the whole place. It was beautiful. There were also colorful foreign flowers in the yard, near the pool side and in a small balcony facing the pool. The house was more like a villa house or a vacation house. The exterior and interior were made of high standard materials and it was painted with a combination of blue and white, giving a friendly and refreshing atmosphere. The surrounding was well-cleaned and smelled great. 

It was really a house of a girl. 

Straightway, Melanie showed me my room. "Barbie, this will be your room from now on. Hope you like it." Right as Melanie opened the room, I almost drool in amusement. It was very clean and well ventilated. The curtains were white with a red rose flower embroidery. Every corner was exquisitely designed. I examined the room and from the window, I could see the pool. There was also a separate bathroom inside. The house was two-storey's building.

"Melanie, why are you letting me stay here? You just know me tonight yet you are keeping me here." I asked shamefully after examining the whole corners of the room. 

Melanie laughed, leaning her shoulder on the door frame with her arms crossed over her chest. "I told you, we are soul mates. Since we are soul mates, I can't let you sleep on the street right?" She walked over and sat at the edge of the bed. 

"You noticed it?"

"Of course. Seeing you with a backpack and spiritless, I already guess you are nowhere to go." She patted the space next to me. "Sit here and let's have a small talk. 

"What do you want us to talk about?" I lowered my head.

She held my hand. "Barbie, we already went through a life and death experience together and I am sincere for asking you to be my best friend. So I am hoping, starting tonight, if you have trouble, don't hesitate to tell me so I can help you. Same as me. I will tell you mine."

I looked at her with tears in my eyes. "Thank you Melanie. You are really a good person."

She giggled, raised her chin up and flipped her hair backward. "I knew that long ago." What she did made us laugh together.

"Melanie, I am really sorry for troubling you. But don't worry I will pay you a rent once I get a job."

Melanie's left brow curved in askance. "Pay me? Barbie, if you dare to say that again, I will get mad. I don't want you to pay me. You are my sister now, how could I let you do that?" 

"But--" 

"Alright! That's enough." Melanie stood up. "Take a time to clean yourself. Then come to the dining area after you're done."

I helplessly bobbed. As Melanie tried to close the door, I shrieked crawling back.

Melanie went back inside the room. "What is wrong?" 

I raised my trembling hand and pointed on something behind the door. "There-there is someone behind."

Melanie grabbed a pillow and slowly approached behind the door, raising the pillow above her shoulder as a preparation to hit. Melanie used her foot to sweep aside the door and reveal someone behind. As Melanie was about to hit the pillow to someone standing still on the floor, I realised it wasn't a human. 

I screamed. "Melanie stop!" 

Melanie looked back, confused. "What?" 

I awkwardly pointed my finger behind her with a stupid smile on my face. "Don't hit him. It's not someone. It's Mannequin."

Melanie checked it. After seeing the Mannequin clearly, she chortled, pressing her stomach and did I. 

"This is crazy." Melanie managed to utter while laughing. She burst to tears. After a few minutes, tired of laughing, she watched the Mannequin and she frowned suddenly, scratching her neck. "This is not right."

"What's wrong?" I asked bemuse. 

"I don't remember dressing in this Mannequin. As I put it here, it was naked. How come it is well-dressed now?" 

"Perhaps, you just forget it."

"Was I?" She thought.