61"Why don't you cry, little baby?" jeered a small, slim girl, as she smirked at me malevolently. "There's no one here to help you—no one."
I will not cry and let Jessica have her way, I thought. Tears, however, were already starting to form in my eyes.
My fellow classmates did not like me at all. I had been teased and taunted throughout this year, and last year, in kindergarten, because I was not pretty, not thin, nor did I have any particular talent. All the rest of them liked to bike ride, roller blade, jump rope, or do some similar activity. I hated all of it. I couldn't ride a bike—my parents were too busy to teach me properly, and they never liked to do those "family bonding" activities that the other parents encouraged. No, they were both corporate lawyers. Silly frolicking was not on their agenda list.
"Little baby, fat baby," continued Jessica, shooting me her perfect and pretty smile. It made boys stare, even if she was only seven years old.
"Hey, leave her alone!"
I turned around, quite astonished that someone had the guts to say something like that to Jessica Tortora. It was a boy of medium height, with short brown hair and gray-green eyes that flickered with anger toward the small blonde beside me.
"You obviously don't know who you're talking to, or who you're defending here," snapped Jessica, sneering. "You're the new kid, aren't you? Go back to being a loner; I don't need to have any barriers between Ottherson and me. So get away, boy."
"No way, you have no right to tease her like that. Leave her alone!"
Jessica sighed impatiently. "Whatever, I have no time for this." She stalked away, giving a glare at the new boy, and started talking with her friends, as if none of this had happened.
"Thank you," I said hesitantly, looking over at the boy.
He smiled, and walked closer to me. "No problem. Why was she teasing you anyway?"
"I'm used to it. Jessica's always been popular and I'm the opposite of who she is, so she never liked me from the start. I'm fat, clumsy, and a bunch of other stuff that she's not."
"You're not. I think you're a nice girl. Want to go and play by the swings?"
I nodded, still not entirely trusting of this boy. But it was better than not having an ally at all.
"What's your name?" he asked, as we swung back and forth, the metal chains creaking slightly as I kicked my legs around in the air.
"I'm Anna Ottherson. What about you?"
"Garret Caulfield."
I smiled, for the first time during that day. I finally made a friend.
"Hey, what're you grinning about, Annie?"
I shook out of my reverie, and shrugged casually. "Nothing."
"Don't give me that. You know you were happy about something. Were you thinking about Alex Goldman again?"
I glared at him. "If you must know, Garret Caulfield, I was thinking about that day we first met, and how you saved me from Jessica's evil wrath."
Garret laughed heartily, and ran a hand through his dark brown hair. "I remember. God, Jessica was such a brat even then, wasn't she? One day the queen bee will fall, Annie, and we'll take her place together."
It was ridiculous of him to say so, but I couldn't be impatient at him for a minute. He was my best friend; had been ever since that incident almost five years ago. We were sitting on the bench together in the park, enjoying our last days of summer before school would start. The latter was such a dreaded event, because I would be going into seventh grade without Garret, without my best pal and confidante. My parents had decided that I needed a better education, since I was supposedly "so clever", and registered me for Northwood Academy, the prestigious private school in our large suburban community in Southwestern Connecticut.
"Now what're you thinking about?"
"Do I have to tell you everything, Garret?"
"Of course, we're best buddies. C'mon, tell me, Annie. You looked so sad a second ago."
"I just don't want to leave you to go to Northwood." My eyes cast downward. "I like public school just fine, but my parents insisted that I go to a place where education is placed upon more seriously. And you're staying at Thompson. So we won't get to see each other as often, and we live ten minutes away from each other, too."
"We'll ride our bikes to each other's houses; it's no big deal."
I coughed loudly, and Garret blushed. He was the only one, besides my other two girl friends, Jane and Reagan, that I couldn't ride a bike. Yes, it was embarrassing, but I never bothered learning. Sadly enough, it was quite a normal event to go bike riding with friends, even when cars became the dominant tool for transportation. I always felt left out when Garret would go skateboarding or bike-riding with his friends, because I knew I could have, too, if I actually bothered taking the time to learn how to balance on a two-wheeled machine.
Things had changed since second grade. I met Jane and Reagan in third grade, when they took an interest in Garret, since all the girls thought he was "so cute". So they decided to bombard me with personal questions about my best friend, and we hit it off at once. They were still my other two friends, but no one could replace my very best one. I was also friendly with Garret's friends, too. However, I wasn't as close to them as he was, because even though they were nice to me, I knew that they thought I was a nerd, a dork who was only best friends with their buddy because they had been for a long time, since they were stupid little nose-picking second graders.
I changed, too. I wasn't overweight any longer, but I was still slightly chubby, with plump cheeks and a large frame. I was tall as well, but not slender. No, I was just a tall, big-boned, and still very clumsy girl. Not like Jessica Tortora, who had, if possible, become even more gorgeous by the years. Her long golden hair had grown just below her shoulder blades, and her dark blue eyes were still as deceitful, yet flirtatious as ever. Her body was small and curvy, but she was short—the only flaw she had. She had also been the only sixth grade cheerleader during the past school year, of the whole school. Boys still chased after her endlessly. Of course, she was very stupid, so I had to give myself credit for something. I was known as the genius of our grade, along with Garret, who was also extremely clever as well. We were the dynamic duo, very inseparable. Girls used to be madly jealous that we were so close, and taunted mercilessly that we were a couple. Then, I had finally snapped one day, and told them to shut the hell up, and that we were only friends. That had obviously worked, because the next day, none of them said a word to me about Garret and I dating; in fact, they had quite affable conversations with me about school, books, and music. From then on, I was a respected member of the society at school. I was still considered a geek, certainly, but I was no longer laughed at openly, in public. I was nearly positive that many people still whispered about me behind my back, but I could have cared less. I was not going to get hurt from stupid and mindless jerks, because I wasn't as weak as I was back in second grade. No, I had a strong spirit, and anyone who felt like bullying me would pay. Many of my classmates found that out the hard way, when my brainpower squashed theirs in a matter of seconds. Yes, it was sweet revenge.
Now, there would be none of that triumph anymore, or the friendships that I built at Thompson Middle School. Northwood Academy nurtured some of the most intelligent, athletic, and talented youth of America, and I was to be treated to a crowd of nice people, who wouldn't tease or taunt me for the world, because I was just like them. Everyone, or nearly everyone, I imagined, would have a fairly large brain, and wouldn't be afraid to use it. A part of me yearned to go there, to experience what I really deserved, to be in a crowd of people similar to me, to make new friends and have few, if not any, enemies. However, the other half of me longed to stay at Thompson, where my old life lingered. That was where I experienced some of the most heart aching and joyous moments of my life, with my comrades, acquaintances, and enemies. I grew up there, in the public school system, and learned to be strong with my decisions. No one could push me around. But especially, I would miss Garret, for he was the best thing that ever happened to be in my life. Without him, I would have still been a loner, still being picked on by Jessica and people similar to her in personality and social status. Garret brought out the best out of me, the part I hid from most people. I was an ice queen to many, because of my neutral mask, but inside, I was a wild girl, ready to break loose at any moment. That streak of me would have disappeared, if not for that crazy boy with the tousled brown hair that I was so fond of ruffling.
"I'm sorry, Annie, I didn't meant to upset you," he apologized profusely. "Really, though, you should have me teach you how to ride a bike. It's really not that hard."
"You know I have no physical coordination—none. You may be Mr. Jock, but some of us cannot run a mile in less than seven minutes."
"Please don't be upset," Garret begged pleadingly. "I didn't mean to say that; really, it was a mere slip of the tongue. Forgive me, babe."
I narrowed my eyes, but I knew that I couldn't stay mad at him forever. Those deep gray eyes with the greenish tint mixed into them were always so intriguing, and so irresistible, especially when they sparkled with laughter or mischief—which was quite an often occurrence, I must say.
"Babe? Since when did I allow you to use these sorts of pet names, Mr. Caulfield?"
He grinned, and tugged on my ponytail affectionately. "Don't be such a wet tissue, Annie."
Even though we had a strictly platonic relationship, I had to admit that Garret was attractive. I wouldn't necessarily call him handsome, but he was far from ugly. He may look average to the passing observer, but it was his breezy smile and twinkling eyes that drew more than a few girls toward him. However, I never felt jealous for a moment when he would wait for me after school, with an arm draped over a pretty girl in a casual fashion. I would never think of him as more than a friend; that, I was certain of. Jane and Reagan sometimes teased me playfully about how Garret and I looked "so sweet" together, but I knew that they were only joking around, and weren't really seriously. After all, I didn't deserve Garret; he needed a more sophisticated and accomplished girl. I was nearly a country bumpkin, even though I grew up in the suburbs all my life. It was frankly sad, how naïve I was about everything that was popular nowadays: certain movies, television shows, music artists, etc.
"What a nice name for your best friend," I replied dryly. "Very true, however. I am a wet tissue, aren't I?"
"Oh, no, not this again." He groaned loudly, with exaggeration. "You have such low self-esteem issues, Annie. How many times do I have to tell you that you're an amazing girl? You'll make a lucky guy happily in love someday."
"Humph. A guy in love with me? I find that so incredibly amusing. You're such a joker, Garret. Go try stand-up comedy for a career. Then I can brag about having a famous celebrity for a best friend."
"Very funny, Sweet Tooth."
I stuck out my tongue and held up my head in a prissy fashion. Sweet Tooth had been a silly nickname that Garret came up with four years ago, in third grade. I loved any sort of sweet treat (I still do, in fact), including ice cream, chocolate, cupcakes, muffins, and the usual. He had found out from real-life experience, when I had a pint of mint chocolate-chip ice cream for dinner, as well as a box of cookies. Of course, that was probably why I was so overweight back then, but hey, anything sugary and sweet deserved some extra attention from me.
"After all these years, I still haven't come up with a nickname for you."
"That shows just how creative I am, and how much of a dry prune your brain becomes when it comes to letting your imagination flow freely."
"Enough with the metaphors already," I grumbled wearily, glancing at my watch in the process. "I'd better get going soon, Mom's going to freak out. It's already seven o'clock, and we're having guests over tonight."
"Guests? And why am I not one of them?"
"They're just a family with kids my age who're going to Northwood this fall, too. Apparently, my mom thought it would be jolly to mingle and socialize with them, so that I'll have buddies when it comes time for school to start."
"Oh, that's bad luck. Ah, well. See you later, sweets."
"Mm…you, too, Garret."
I got back home five minutes later, because the park was so close to our house. Mom was running frantically about the kitchen, putting finishing touches on meals that smelled delicious, even from a distance.
"Hey, Mom. Everything smells great."
"Yeah, we're putting in all this effort, no thanks to you," said Brian, my older brother by two years. "Where have you been, Anna? It's already seven, and the McKnights are coming at seven-thirty."
"I was at the park with Garret. Gee, what's up with you? Get rejected by some girl at the beach today?"
He flushed darkly. "Shut the hell up."
"Brian Ottherson, control your language!" exclaimed Mom, glaring at her son meaningfully. "You ought to be a good example for your little sister." She turned to me, smiling again. "Were you with Garret? That's so nice! I just hope you two are still friends after school starts. It's a pity, how Mrs. Caulfield won't send Garret to Northwood as well. He's such a capable young man, and such a good husband he would make you someday."
"Mom!" I shouted in horror. "Garret's my friend, not potential partner in life."
"Not yet, anyway," said Brian with a satisfied smirk.
"God, it's a miracle, the way I deal with you people," I muttered, displeased.
"Oh, honey, stop overreacting. It was only a spur of the moment comment. Come, get over your little grudge; our guests will be here any minute now."
As if on cue, the doorbell rang, and Mom jumped up, and nearly ran for the door, calling over her shoulder, "Anna, go get Dad from his study! I swear, that man is oblivious to all that goes on in this world."
I sighed heavily, and trudged through the hallway and into the study, where Dad was sitting at his desk, examining documents with a furrowed brow. I lingered at the doorway, unsure of what to do. Dad was usually a good-humored man, but when disrupted at the worst times, especially when he was concentrating on an important case, he was not one that you wanted to disturb.
However, today, I was spared, for me glanced up at me and smiled. "Oh, are they here already?"
When we both entered the dining room, where the delicious platters of food were placed upon the table, Mom was beaming proudly, probably at herself for being such a genius in inviting the wealthy and influential McKnight family.
"This is Sarah and Timothy, who will both be in your grade this fall," she said with excitement. "Isn't that wonderful?"
"Sure," I responded vaguely, rolling my eyes. It was going to be a long night, especially with that insufferable Timothy staring at me during the introductions.
"So, this is the last time we're going to hang out together before school starts," said Garret sadly, his eyes not quite holding its usual sparkle.
"Thanks for stating the obvious," I mumbled, my eyes cast toward the colorful sunset beyond.
We were both in the park again, our last meeting. Today was the last day of summer, before seventh grade would start. I was nervous, yet excited. Sarah and Tim McKnight had turned out to be great people, and on the plus side, Tim was pretty cute. I restrained a smile, however, because I knew that Garret and I wouldn't see each other as often as before. I had joined on a local soccer team, and would be busy with practices, and I planned on trying out for the Chamber Orchestra at school as well. Garret, of course, would continue with football and basketball practices, and since he was as much of an overachiever as I was, he would spend a lot of time on homework as well. Our lives would continue on, but I knew that our friendship would never be the same again.
"It's getting late," he sighed, and turned to look at me. "I want to give you something before we go our ways. Consider it an early Christmas gift."
I looked at him questioningly when he took a small velvet box from his coat pocket. I received it carefully, and opened it. Inside, there was a delicate golden locket. I carefully opened the intricately carved heart on the yellow chain. On the left-hand side, there was a picture of Garret and I, taken last year. On the right side was a description, written in Garret's very own scrunched-up handwriting: Anna and Garret = Best Friends For Life.
"Garret, it's beautiful," I breathed, my eyes widening. "Thank you."
"I just wanted to tell you that we'll always be buddies, no matter what the circumstances, Annie. You're my best friend, and no other person will ever take that place in my heart." He took my hand, and held it to his chest, as if securing a promise.
"Bye, Terry," I whispered.
He grinned. "Terry?"
"It's a new nickname. I just randomly thought of it a few days ago."
"Well, I'm honored. Good-bye, Sweet Tooth. Don't look so glum, Annie. It's not like either of us are moving or anything, we're just going to different schools. It's not the end of the world, you'll see."
"Yeah." I embraced him tightly, and then turned to walk away.
2 Years Later…"I'm late, I'm late," I kept telling myself worriedly, as I quickly turned the handle to room 318. "Mr. Worthing, I'm sorry, I got lost today and I—"
I found at least thirty pairs of eyes staring back at me, as I quickly entered the room and shut the door quietly.
Mr. Worthing chuckled. "You're still a minute early, Miss…" He trailed off, looking at his roster. "There's only one person missing, so I assume that you are Anna Ottherson?"
A low murmur of voices were heard after his question.
"Anna Ottherson?"
"You mean that geek is coming back again?"
"I remember her, don't you?"
"Man, she's hot!"
I turned red, and walked slowly over to the only empty seat in the whole classroom, next to—Garret?
He turned to look at me, frowning, and then went back to laughing with his two friends, whom I recognized as Adam Reiner and Johnny Portland, both two of his friends from back in junior high as well. Adam peered at me curiously.
"Hey, I remember you. You were buddies with our man Garret here, weren't you?"
Before I could reply, Garret butted in sharply. "No, what are you talking about? I've never seen this girl in my life."
Adam recoiled, and his brow wrinkled in confusion. "But Garret, she's Anna, that girl you used to hang out with—"
"Shut up, dude. You don't know what you're talking about."
I was hurt and puzzled at the same time. Garret knew who I was; I could see the recognition flicker in his familiar gray-green eyes. He still looked the same, only much taller, and his facial features had softened. I hadn't changed too much, either: I still wore glasses, but they were much more stylish, and I slimmed down a bit too, thanks to a lot of workout over the summer. There was something different about my old best friend, though I couldn't quite put my finger on it.
The day was fairly eventful. Jane and Reagan had found me in English class, and we hugged each other fiercely, laughing over the reunion. Many people smiled at me in the hallways, and I was reintroduced to many of my old classmates. During lunchtime, I sat with Jane, Reagan, and their small, close-knit coterie of friends.
"Garret doesn't remember me," I told them unhappily, while biting into a ham sandwich. "He told Adam that he had no idea who I was."
"Naturally, he'd say that," replied Jane knowingly. "Garret Caulfield is an ass, the most stuck-up egotist in the entire grade. Alongside his cronies Adam and Johnny, of course, and his girlfriend, Jess."
"Jess?"
"Jessica Tortora."
I nearly choked on my bread. "He's dating that whore?"
"Exactly what I said when I first heard the news," agreed Reagan from next to me. "I mean, they used to hate each other, and suddenly, in the middle of seventh grade, they were acting like long-lost buddies! They started going out a few months ago, the last month of eighth grade. It was terrible for all of us."
"Yeah," said Paca, a girl that I vaguely remembered from Thompson—a quirky girl, but very nice nonetheless. "Caulfield used to be a nice guy. Don't know what happened."
"Probably because Anna wasn't there to guide him through the last two years of middle school," said Jane with an impatient sigh.
When the day was finally ending, I was happy, except for the fact that Garret didn't show any sort of emotion toward me at all. I slammed my locker shut, heading down to soccer practice on the field. I had gotten into varsity soccer a few weeks ago, and I was excited to continue practice. I accidentally bumped into someone along the way, and I sent my apologies.
"Watch where you're going next time," the guy snarled, and I saw that it was Garret.
I knew that this wouldn't be the only unpleasant encounter that we would have…
…it was going to be a long four years of high school.