Everyone needs someone they can trust, a friend.
Lori and Tory met each other on the first day of school in 11th grade. It was similar to how it happens in movies. Lori sat down next to Tory and they just became friends. It’s afterwards that they realized how ridiculous their meeting was. They just started talking and poof they were friends. It took them only a month to get really good friends and from that moment on they just grew closer to each other.
It was on a Friday that the two girls decided to hang out after school. They went to a park close-by and sat under the tree where they always sat. They often came to that park usually to eat their lunch. They always discussed what happened at school and laughed until they realized the time and hurried back to school.
That day they talked about school again. They started off with discussing their math teacher who was a strange guy. They actually talked about the funny situations they had gotten into because of their math teacher. Somehow their conversation changed direction.
Tory looked at Lori, she was making up her mind on whether it was okay to bring up Laurel. Lori noticed that something was bothering her and asked her if something was wrong. Tory sighed and started talking.
“What are we going to do about Laurel? You know I’m not fond of her, no I actually really begin to hate her.”
Lori looked at a few kids who were running in the park and answered: “I’m not sure, I know we should make it clear to her that we can’t be friends but I can’t be mean to her like you….I didn’t mean that you are mean but I can’t be as direct like you are. It’s because of my sister and her past. It has been bothering me and I can’t forget what happened to my sister that’s why I can’t just leave Laurel alone.”
Tory only nodded. She looked at the sky and smiled. She understood what Lori had told her and decided not to force Lori to do anything she didn’t want to do.
A long talk
They were both silent for a moment. Suddenly Tory turned towards Lori.
“Is there anything about me that you hate? “
“Why are you asking me that all of a sudden?” Lori asked being startled by the question.
“I just want to know. Maybe I can change it.” Tory answered quickly.
“Well there is something you do that really is annoying but it’s actually bad for me not for you so I don’t know whether I should tell you.” Lori said not sure what to say.
That only made Tory even more curious so she kept asking what it was that Lori hated about her. Eventually Lori fall for the ‘we are best friends’ tactic and told Tory about her jealousy.
“You talk to too many people and I don’t like that. I know it’s just me being jealous but… I just feel that way ”
Tory was silent for a moment then she smiled.
“It’s okay for you to feel that way. I have to say that’s the cutest thing you’ve ever said to me.”
Lori loosened up after she saw her friend’s reaction. The two girls laughed at the situation and continued their conversation.
After a while Lori started talking about her classmates, including the boy who was Tory’s crush. Lori told Tory how she was awkward with her crush because he had rejected her. Tory smiled again. She told her friend there was no reason to be awkward and that she should just act the way she always does. But Lori still wasn’t convinced.
“You know…that day that you were with him….I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you.”
Tory fell still. She looked at her friend and softly said: “It’s okay, you were sick and it’s in the past so no use in thinking about it.”
Lori sighed again.
“This is what I don’t like about you. You don’t have to hold your strong act up in front of me. I’m your best friend. That day you cried because of that guy….I felt so guilty that I wasn’t there with you when you needed me. I still feel guilty and you are smiling like nothing happened.”
Tory didn’t say anything. She was just startled.
Lori looked straight into Tory’s eyes and calmly said: “You can cry if you want to, I’m always here for you. Don’t act strong when you are sad.”
“I will try to open up more…thank you”, Tory said with a soft tone.
That’s how their conversation ended. They realized several hours had gone by and Lori had to catch her train so they hurried to the train station. After Lori went on her train she thought of their conversation, so did Tory while she walked home.
The two girls didn’t know anything about the future only that they would be there for each other.
