Splinters: Part One

Part One | 10

I pressed my lips together and stuffed my hands in my pockets as I scanned over the costumes while we walked. 

"You know, Brayden, if you like her that much, you can hang out with her."

I froze and looked down at Ursanne. "Huh?"

"You don't hide your sadness very well when you see her."

I narrowed my eyes.  

"Besides," she kicked the floor. "What she did affected me, not you. It's in the past, anyway."

I couldn't believe my ears. Not even a week ago, Bella had convinced Ursanne not to let me be friends with Collie. And right now, she's encouraging me to be friends with her. What's going on?

"It's not that big of a deal," I told her. 

"But I like it when you're happy, and right now, you're not happy."

I blinked. "I'm happy."

"Then how come I haven't seen you smile?"

I ran a hand through my hair. "I'm just stressed out, Ursanne. I've never been to high school and the work is a little overwhelming." I lied.

"Are you sure?"

Now I was getting frustrated. "I don't get it, Ursanne. Before, you were whining about me even being in her presence, now you want me to go and be friends with her? Make up your mind."

"This is me making up my mi-"

"How do I know you're not going to change it tomorrow?"

"Because now I feel bad. You're not as happy as you normally are. And honestly, she seems to really like you."

"I still don't get it! You sit here and say how much you hate her and how she's a terrible person, and now you're saying she's-"

"It's not like that, Brayden."

"Then what's it like? I don't understand what you want and I'm trying so hard to do whatever makes you happy so that you don't hate me or get mad at me. I don't know what to do."

Ursanne's facial expression held only sadness. She didn't say anything for a moment. 

I sighed. "Ursanne- I-... I'm sorry."

She shook her head, closing her eyes. "You're right. This entire time, you needed to make your own decision. I can't be doing that for you."

I stared down at her.

"I-I know, but-"

"You should choose your own friends, Brayden. It's your life." She smiled gently. 

I let out a long breath of relief. 

"But, there's a catch." She continued, "If I see something bad about to happen, I'm going to tell you and I'm going to warn you. It'll be up to you if you want to actually listen to me."

I smiled. "Thank you."

...

"What are you gonna be for Halloween?" Grady asked.

I shrugged. "I don't think I'm gonna be anything."

He stopped walking. I glanced at him, doing a double take, and then stopping myself. His horrified facial expression worried me.

"What?"

"You're not going to be anything for Halloween? Are you insane?"

I sighed. "You sound like my sister."