Crystal (Orphans 2)

I made my way back, passing Ashley, who sat

alone looking as if she wanted to ask me to sit with

her. Bernie glanced up at me and then looked at the

textbook he had opened. I sat across from him and

gazed out the window.

"Your friend Helga's been saying things about

us," I heard him say, and turned.

"What did you say?"

"Some of the guys in my gym class were saying

things about us," he told me.

"First, she's not my friend. I met her for the first

time when I met you. And second, I don't think I

could be friends with her. She's not very nice," He didn't move his lips, but his eyes smiled. "I wondered how you could be friends with

her," he said, and then looked at his book again. We rode in silence all the way back to our

neighborhood. My stop was before his. I said goodbye, and he nodded and looked at his book again.

Helga had already gotten off. She was waiting for me

on the sidewalk.

"I'm not trying to be mean," she said. "I was

just teasing you. I'd really like to be friends." "Why?" I asked her.

"Why?"

"Yes, why do you want to be friends with me?" "I don't know. Why does anyone become

friends with anyone?" she replied.

"Usually because they have something in

common, they like the same things, they want to do

the same things," I said.

"So?"

"So when you think of something you and I

might like to do together, let me know," I said, and walked away. Maybe I was being unforgiving; maybe I just didn't trust her. Whatever the reason, it felt

good.

I heard the television set when I entered the