Chapter 14

  Bridget looked out the long window in her room. The reflection of the bright, afternoon sunlight was dotting the room with shades of purple, green, orange, and pink…it made her happy that the sun was out; it hadn’t been lately since the month of November started. The air was filled with a biting cold, and very often a large gust would blow through, a kind that would nearly knock you off your feet. But today, the sun seemed like it was less shy; it wasn’t hiding behind the clouds anymore.

          But the glorious sunshine wasn’t the only thing that was making Bridget so excitable; it was also because that evening, at five-thirty, she was going over to Della’s house, where all three of them---Della, Charlotte, and Bridget---would have a sleepover. They were all planning to meet each other at the end of Bridget’s neighborhood, for it seemed to be in the middle of the walking distance to each of the girls’ houses. From there, they would walk to Della’s. She was going to start packing, considering five-thirty was only in fifteen minutes. Likewise, Bridget opened her closet to pick out an outfit and stuffed the contents in her fluffy off-white pillow. It was an old packing trick that she learned from Gwen: just put everything in between in between your pillow and the case, just like a sack.

          Next, Bridget went to the bathroom to get her toothbrush and other toiletries. Since the bathroom was right across from Sophie’s room, she could hear Sophie and her new friend Jaycee giggling and talking about things. She was glad that Sophie had let go of the whole “Melanie-Lauren” thing, and finally found new friends. Ever since the Halloween party, Jaycee and Sophie started talking non-stop. Bridget thought it was funny that Sophie never EVER thought they could be best friends. But now they were. That satisfied Bridget.

          Bridget went back to her room, stuffed more things in her pillowcase, and brought it all downstairs. She was very excited for this sleepover, on the account that is was her first time spending the night anywhere but the Hunt’s and a few times in California. Plus, it was with new friends, and she was anxious to learn more about them.

          Bridget slipped into the kitchen, where Mr. Hunt was fixing himself some chicken salad. She hadn’t really talked to him in a while except for about school things and grades, so she decided, in these extra ten minutes; she would try to spark up conversation.

          “Hey,” Bridget said. “How was your day at work?”

          Mr. Hunt turned nodded slowly with a grin and said, “Long, but all right.” He chuckled. “How about you, Bridget?”

          “Oh, it was…normal. You know…November is usually not extremely exciting for school.” Bridget replied.

          Mr. Hunt nodded accordingly. “And how is the club going? Are you guys moving along?” Mr. Hunt asked.

          “Oh, yes,” Bridget said. “I think we are doing quite well…Henry, uh, Henry Vongaurt is really good at time management and stuff like that, so, naturally, our club is actually going well.” Bridget said, grinning slightly.

          “I’m glad.” Mr. Hunt said.

          Bridget nodded. “Well, I should probably get going…Della and Charlotte may be a little early, you never know.” Bridget said.

          “Oh, is tonight when you’re going over?” Mr. Hunt asked.

          “Yup. I’ll be back tomorrow morning at ten.” Bridget answered. She then went to the door and picked up her pillow, which withheld all of her belongings. “Bye, Mr. Hunt!”

          “Goodbye Bridget!” He replied.

          And with that, Bridget was out the door and onto the walkway that would lead to the sidewalk. She noticed that blaring sun was being covered up by its neighboring clouds; therefore it was getting darker outside.

          She wondered what her first sleepover in America would be like---she felt so cliché, thinking about that kind of stuff, but she was too excited to think of anything otherwise. She very much enjoyed Charlotte and Della’s company, and couldn’t wait to see Della’s house, also. At one of the ICGS meetings, Bridget was told that Della’s house was designed so everything fit on one floor---it was originally meant for a party-hosting house, so it was very spacious. Charlotte had said that it looked like an artists’ loft…so roomy and colorful. Bridget couldn’t wait.

          Soon enough, Bridget got to the end of the neighborhood and started to corner the sidewalk. There, she saw Charlotte and Della waving excitedly and running toward her like giddy six-year-olds.

          “Hi!” They both said at the same time to Bridget, who was also smiling gleefully.

          “Hey!” Bridget said, pulling them both in for a hug. “I am so excited for tonight!”

          “Yeah!” Della said, grinning widely, showing her perfectly white, square teeth. “I can’t wait either…my mom’s going to�"“

          Charlotte stopped Della. “It’s a surprise, remember?”

          Della smirked and looked to Charlotte. “Sorry, it’s a little hard to contain something like that!”

          Bridget smiled, wondering what the surprise might be. Just then they all started walking toward Della’s house, which was three-quarters of a mile away, almost by the main city.

          “I can’t believe I haven’t asked you this, but, do you have any siblings?” Bridget asked Della.

          “Yes, but she’s at college now, in New York. I think this is her last year, actually.” Della answered.

          “Ah,” Bridget said, while nodding. “What’s her name?”

          “Genevieve, but we all call her Vi.” Della said. “I don’t know why she doesn’t like Genevieve…the name’s so cool sounding. Better than someone who’s name sounds like a computer brand.” Della laughed, referring to herself.

“I actually like your name.” Bridget commented, smiling. “‘Bridget’ sounds like a frog to me.” Bridget said.

“Ribbit!” Charlotte croaked.

The three of them laughed.

In six more minutes of giggling conversation, the three girls kept walking to Della’s house, which Bridget could barely wait to see.

Soon enough, they arrived at the front door. Della, with a grand push, opened the door to the asymmetrical house. All three of them walked in.

“Here it is,” Della said modestly as she tossed her purse nonchalantly onto the giant, black leather couch.

Bridget almost gasped as she looked around. Everything was so�"urban looking. She half-expected that she was in a large, high-class flat in the middle of London. The walls of the living room were a dark plum, and the fireplace and mantle were a deep, black marble. Inside was a crackling red and orange fire that gave the room a cozy glow. The floors were a dark cherry wood, but covering them were black and white rugs with visually boggling patterns such as black and white colliding circles. There were three rugs in all, but Bridget’s favorite was the one that made her feel dizzy�"it had wavy lines that were fading around the edges but got bolder in the center. Bridget legitimately liked it.

“Your house is...it’s brilliant, honestly.” Bridget said to Della.

“Thanks,” Della said. “You’re not the first one to get totally hypnotized by the rugs�"my mom’s friend Jeannie made them for us, since my mom likes patterns and optical illusions and stuff. I think they were made as a model of an artist’s paintings…I can’t remember exactly who it was, though. I’ll have to ask my mom later.”

“They’re fabulous!” Bridget said, lingering on her favorite rug.

“Make sure you tell my mom that,” Della said smoothing out her shirt. “She loves compliments on her rather, well, more eccentric pieces of furniture.”

Bridget nodded. “I will.” She said.

         

~

          The three went all the way back to Della’s room, which was in the back of the house. Since there were no stairs, it was very strange traveling across a house rather than up it. All the same, Bridget fell in love with this artsy penthouse-esque home.

          Della’s room was beautiful too. The walls were painted an olive green, with coffee bean brown curtains, and a white bed spread with beige colored swirls on it, with an occasional embroidered bird here and there. Her floors were wooden, and so were her dresser and closet…a deep, deep brown that was simply organic. Bridget liked Della’s room a lot…spacious, clean, and simple.

          Bridget’s awe was broken by a laugh-snort from Charlotte.

“Della, you must have done some serious cleaning before we left to go get Bridget…most of the time it looks like your closet exploded.” Charlotte laughed.

          Della smiled. “Well, I just wanted to let Bridget know that I actually cared that she was coming…plus, my mom didn’t want the house to be a raging mess like it usually is…especially for a first-time visitor…” Della lightly elbowed Bridget in the forearm before continuing. “Just put your stuff anywhere…it doesn’t matter.”

          Charlotte quickly dropped her two bags in the corner by Della’s bed, while Bridget set hers on a leather burnt orange chair that resembled an ottoman.

          Bridget studied the peculiar chair. “Della, what exactly is this?” She removed her things and sat on it. It was firm, but comfortable at the same time. She liked it.

          “Oh, that’s from my great aunt…she lives on Tinian Island…so she brings back a lot of things she finds around there. It’s so cool. I’d love to go there someday.”  Della said.

          “Where is that?” Bridget asked.

          “It’s somewhere in the Pacific Ocean, east of China and Japan…it’s closer to those countries than it is to the United States.” Charlotte answered.

          Della stared at Charlotte in amazement. “I think it’s funny how she’s my relative and I can’t even remember something like that…I still don’t know exactly where it is, even after knowing her for so long.” Della laughed.

          “Well, as vice president of ICGS, I need to know stuff like that. It’s my job.” Charlotte said in an overly serious voice, as if to make fun her “title”.

          All three of them laughed.

          “But anyway,” Della said, drawing in breath. “That’s from Tinian. Aunt Kika says they’re everywhere…my mom has a blue one downstairs.” Della sat down on her bed.

          “So…does that mean you’re part Tinian, then?” Bridget asked, curiously.

          “Yup,” Della said modestly. “One quarter Pacific Islander…my mom is half, and my great aunt is full.” Della nodded to herself, as if figuring out the math in her head.

          “That is so awesome,” said Bridget. “What about your dad? Was he European?”

          Della folded her hands. “Well, my mom’s dad was an Italian immigrant to America, but he was in the Peace Corps, so he moved to Tinian temporarily. There, he met my grandmother, and they moved back to New Hampshire, and started a family. My great aunt Penina decided to stay in Tinian, and she has only been in one other country besides Tinian�"and that’s America. The first time Aunt Penina came was when my uncle and my mom were born. They’re twins.” Della said, as Bridget came in with a comment.

          “Blimey! Your family is so diverse…I’m only English and Polish�"“ said Bridget.

          “And I’m only Irish, German, and Swedish!” Charlotte cut in.

          Della smiled. “Well, I’m just Italian and Tinian…it’s just a little different.”

          “Yeah, well, some days�"a lot of days�"I wish I wasn’t so fair and red-haired. It must be great being tan all of the time…not to mention tiny!” Charlotte said as she picked up one of Della’s dangling legs that were hanging off the bed.

          “I have to say I agree with Charlotte on that one…I’d much rather be tan.” Bridget said.

          “Oh, don’t be so hard on yourselves…being tan is overrated. Fair or pale is just fine…I think it’s pretty.” Della said. “I’d love to be blonde or red haired for a day.”

          “Hey, all we have to do is get some L’Oreal and we can dye it ourselves!” Charlotte said jokingly.

          “Could you imagine how awful that would look on me? I would absolutely die if that happened!” Della said, with a large grin.

          All of them were laughing just at the thought of it.

          Bridget took a breath before continuing. “So is your dad Italian too?”

          Della’s smile faded some�"not to a frown, but into a pondering state. “I don’t know. My mom never told me.”

          “Oh.” Bridget felt embarrassed.

          “…I’ve actually never met him before. So it doesn’t matter.” Della said genuinely.

          Charlotte looked solemnly at the wall, as if she already knew about this, and knew she shouldn’t talk about it.

Bridget decided to say nothing, for she didn’t want to offend Della. After all, this was her first visit. She didn’t want to mess it up by asking stupid questions.

          Della realized the silence. “But I know my mom has a picture of him…somewhere. I think it’s in her walk-in closet. I caught her looking at it once, she was crying…I tried to look at it, but I couldn’t see it.” Della said. “That was like, two years ago, so it might be somewhere else.”

          Bridget looked over at Charlotte…she knew that Charlotte was itching to say something, but she didn’t know what. Bridget knew it would come out soon, she knew how Charlotte was a curious person. She looked at Charlotte once more; she looked like she was going to explode if she didn’t say it.

          “Maybewecouldlookforit.” Charlotte burst out in the quietness.

          Della looked suddenly at Charlotte. “Really?”

Charlotte looked shocked. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to�"“

          Della cut her off and a curious, determined look appeared on her face. “No. We should. After all, my mom doesn’t get home for another thirty minutes.”

          Bridget got little tingles up her arms. She didn’t want to snoop around, but she did enjoy a little adventure.

          The girls walked quickly over to Della’s mother’s room. Della opened the door, and waved Charlotte and Bridget inside.

          Bridget stepped on the plushy white carpet that was all over the floor of Della’s mother’s room. In the center was a queen-sized bed that was covered in a satin, dark blue duvet. It reminded Bridget of the sky at night, not quite black, but midnight blue. Bridget continued to study the room, but soon enough she heard Della say, “This way,” while leading them into her mother’s giant walk-in closet, which also had the same plushy white carpet.

          “Wow,” said Charlotte. “Your mom sure has a lot of clothes!”

          Bridget looked around. Charlotte was right. There were clothes of every different color, material, and season. It was like a miniature shopping mall.

          “I wonder where it is…” Della conjectured.

          “Maybe up in those boxes.” Charlotte pointed to a couple of old shoeboxes that were up high above all of the shirts and tops. One of the two boxes was overflowing with photos, and the other had the lid neatly atop it, with the corners of the box still crisp, as if untouched. On the contrary, the box looked a little old�"even dusty.

          “Well, I don’t think there’s a chair near by, so, one of you will have to be my stool.” Della smiled, her dimples creasing, trying not to giggle.

          Charlotte and Bridget looked at each other expectantly.

          “Oh, c’mon. Last time I weighed myself I was only ninety pounds. I’m sure one of you can handle me for a second.” Della put her hands on her hips, still smiling.

          “Okay, I’ll do it…” Charlotte said, “But don’t rely on me�"I’m all nerd. No muscle.” Della giggled as Charlotte bent down on the ground, on all fours.

          Della stepped on. “Ready?” she said, as she put her right foot on Charlotte’s back.

          “Yup,” Charlotte grimaced.  “Don’t you dare laugh, Bridget!” Charlotte called, almost giggling. “Or else you’ll have a hospital bill to pay!” 

          Bridget held in her laughter, but still received a playful smirk from Charlotte.

          “There, almost got it…” Della stretched for the box. “Got it!” Della took the box and stepped off of Charlotte, one foot at a time.

          Charlotte got up. Her face was a sheer red, covering her fair skin like a blanket. “That,” Charlotte breathed, “is the last time I am ever having a ninety pound being using me as a step ladder.”

          The girls laughed.

          “Weakling!” Della said jokingly.

          “Fatty!” Charlotte jabbed back. She looked at Bridget as she rubbed her back and mouthed “OW!”

          Bridget snickered.

          “So, let’s see what’s in the box!” Charlotte said as she plopped down on the carpet, Indian style. The other two followed.

          Della held the box. Charlotte and Bridget stared in anticipation.

          Della carefully lifted the lid off, and set it gently on the plush carpet. Everyone got closer, peering inside the box.

          Inside were about five photos, all in color, except for one.

          Della lifted the first color photo up. It was a picture of her mom in white linen clothes, sitting in the sand on a sunny beach, holding a sand dollar in her palm. Her white teeth stood out the most. The second was a picture of a seagull, skimming the ocean, one wing askew, the other upward cutting the sky. The third and fourth ones were of the sunset…the third was a mess up; the picture doubled up. The fourth was beautiful, a beam of light from the orange and yellow sunset reached across the ocean like a hand extending to a friend. That one caught all three of their eyes.

          The fifth, however, wasn’t at the beach. It was indoors. A window snuck in from the left side, but not much of the surroundings were shown�"the most important subject in the photo was Della’s father.

          None of them said anything. Everyone’s eyes were fixed on the picture of her father’s face, a photo in black and white. Even without color, Bridget could still see so much detail.

          His hair was dark brown. There was a mass of it�"but it was kept nicely. A strand fell from the swoop above his forehead, covering part of his dark, but handsome, eyebrows. His eyes seemed dark also. The skin around his eyes was creased�"those features made him have “happy eyes”, ones that resembled a cute teddy bear that one would see at a store. His head rested on his fist, which was unclenched and seemed lightly placed under his strong chin. His white teeth dominated the picture…so perfect and white, like Della’s. She had his dimples, too.

          “Wow,” Della’s voice was barely a whisper. She turned the photo over, seeing “June 5, 1992” written in black ink.

          Bridget and Charlotte exchanged nervous glances, for they did not know whether to comfort Della or stay quiet.

          “He, uh…” Della paused, searching for words. “Looks a lot different than I expected. I can’t believe we found it.” Della’s placed the pictures back in the box, and picked up the lid. She finally smiled, but her eyes were still sad.

          Della stood up. “Uh, thanks for doing this with me guys, it’s nice…seeing what my dad looks�"or looked like.” Della said.

          Charlotte and Bridget giggled nervously.

          Charlotte then spoke. “No problem, Della, I’m just glad you’re mom--”

          They all jumped at the sound of a voice that traveled so quickly throughout the spacious house.

          “I’m home!  Girls? You there?”

          All three of them stared at each other in shock. Della hastily picked up the lid and placed it back on as quickly as she could.

          “Quick, quick!” Della panicked. “Charlotte, you might have to�"“

          Bridget cut her off. “I’ll do it!” Bridget quickly did as Charlotte did. Della stepped on her back and put the box right where it was supposed to be�"she then quickly got back down.  

          “Thanks,” said Della, laughing. “We need to get out, before my mom comes!”

          The three swiftly left the large closet and sped into Della’s room�"tip-toeing of course. They all sat down and pretended as if they had been there for an hour, just talking…and just in time.

          Della’s mother lightly pushed open the door.

          “�"And so as I was saying I thought we could…” Della cut her own self-started sentence off. “Oh, mom, hi!”

          “Hey ladies!” Della’s mom, or, Mrs. Juliano, walked into the room. “I decided to come home early, but, the old boss asked me to stay longer…but, it turns out I got off twenty minutes earlier anyway, so…it’s not much of a bonus, but…” Mrs. Juliano smiled, revealing the same white teeth that Della had. Bridget thought inwardly, that must be a good trait from both sides.

          “Oh, how rude of me!” Mrs. Juliano rushed over to Bridget. Bridget stood up.

          “It’s so nice to meet you…Della’s been wanting to have you over for weeks.” Mrs. Juliano pulled Bridget in for a hug. She smelled wonderful, like a perfume made from spices and a little citrus.

          “It is so nice to meet you, too. I am very delighted to be here.” Bridget said.

          Mrs. Juliano smiled in glee. “That is such a nice thing to hear.” She paused. “Well, I suppose I better change…have fun!” Mrs. Juliano slipped out the door and went into her room.

          “Delighted to be here…” Charlotte said, in an overly exaggerated British voice, mimicking Bridget.

          Della and Bridget burst out laughing.

          “Hey,” said Bridget, defending herself. “I was just trying to be polite.”

          “We know, Bridget, we’re just messing with you.” Della said. “C’mon, let’s go into the kitchen.”     The girls followed Della into the giant kitchen.

          “Are you guys hungry?” Della said, opening up the refrigerator. ”We don’t have a whole lot of food, but…” Della turned around and saw brown grocery bags sitting on the counter. They were leaning into each other, as if passed out.

          “Oh! Mom got groceries…I wonder what they are…” Della, Charlotte, and Bridget surrounded the tired-looking bags and looked inside.

          Just then, Mrs. Juliano came into the kitchen wearing here dark hair up into a bun, jeans, and a cream-colored boat neck shirt.

          “There should be stuff for the cheese tray and some chocolate chips in there…” Mrs. Juliano shuffled over to the fridge and grabbed a diet coke. It opened with a sprit.

          “Look guys,” Della pulled out the cheese, pepperoni, crackers, and grapes from one bag, and the chocolate chips, strawberries, cherries, and pretzel rods from the other. Della spread them out, fan-style, all over the counter.

          “This is going to be de-lish…” Charlotte said. “Especially the chocolate fondue.”

          “That’s the surprise,” Della said. “Every time we have a sleepover we have this. It’s a tradition.”

          Bridget scanned over the items. “Oh, everything sounds so wonderful! I can’t wait to try it!”

          “I’ll get the fondue pot out…Della, honey, could you heat the chocolate?”

          Della nodded.

          “Do you want us to set up the cheese tray?” Bridget offered, indicating herself and Charlotte.

          “Yeah, definitely,” Della said. “I’ll help you, while the chocolate is heating.”

          Soon, the girls assembled the cheese tray that included pepperoni, slices of cheddar cheese, crackers, and grapes. Mrs. Juliano set the fondue utensils out in a clear glass, like the food used for dipping, which included the pretzels, cherries, and strawberries.  She also put out some berry juice for drink.

          Soon, the chocolate was finished heating and the pot full of melted goodness was placed on its stand, ready for dipping.

          “I can’t wait to try it!” Bridget said.

          “Well, go ahead!” Della pulled out the silver stick to hold the fruit on. “Here, try it. I know you’ll like it.”

          Bridget took the utensil and pricked the strawberry with it. She brought the utensil, which know held a shish-ka-bobbed strawberry on it, over to the pot of creamy melted chocolate. She dipped it in slowly, but quickly brought it up to her mouth, in fear of spilling the dripping chocolate. Bridget slid the chocolate-covered fruit into her hand and popped it in her mouth.

          She chewed, as Della, Charlotte, and Mrs. Juliano waited in eagerness. Bridget swallowed.

          “That is delicious.” Bridget said. “I love it!”

          “Good!” Della said, her mouth full of food. “We got another one on the fondue train, mom,” Della said.

          “Good!” Mrs. Juliano said. “Now, I’m going to make a couple of phone calls, and do some file work in my room…so, I’ll see you girls in the morning! Have fun, but don’t stay up all night.” Mrs. Juliano walked out of the kitchen with her diet soda.

          The girls continued snacking on the scrumptious fondue, as well as the appetizing cheese tray. They talked and chattered for another two hours, until they finally decided to play a game.

          “Oh come on, Dell, you know I don’t like Truth or Dare.” Charlotte said, a little worried.

          “Oh come on, Char. You’ll play, won’t you Bridget?” Della said.

          “Of course. I love this game!” Bridget said.

          “That doesn’t leave you a whole lot of choice there, Char.” Della said, tapping her small foot.

          Charlotte rolled her eyes. “Oh, fine. But if I play, I get to choose the movie we watch afterwards.” Charlotte said, scooping her red hair into a ponytail. 

          “Deal.” Said Della.

          The three walked into the living room. Della, Charlotte, and Bridget sat in a triangle shape in the center of the floor, by the large television.

          “Okay,” said Della. “Bridget, you go first.”

          Bridget laughed. “Is that a tradition too?”

          Della smiled. “Now it is!”

          “Okay,” said Bridget. “Della, truth or dare?”

          Della grinned widely. “Dare! Of course…” She looked over at Charlotte, and they giggled.

          Bridget smiled. “Okay, I dare you to…” Bridget was at a loss. She wasn’t good at dare questions. For inspiration, she sped into the kitchen and opened the fridge. She skimmed through it, only to find an opened can of beets.

          It was dark in the kitchen, so Della couldn’t see what was going on. Bridget could barely see anything either. But, she still managed to pull the cold can of beets out, find a spoon in the silverware drawer, and stick it into the almost hot-pink colored can of vegetable mush.

          Bridget walked back into the kitchen, satisfied with her dare. Hopefully Della found disgust in beets.

          Bridget sat down, beets behind her back. Della stared back, wide-eyed in excitement. Charlotte was leaning forward in anticipation. “I dare you…” Bridget slowly brought the beets out. “To eat five spoonfuls of these delectable vegetables!”

          Della soon saw the can of pink beets, and a look of sheer horror crossed her face.

Charlotte started to laugh. “Now that sucks,” she said.

          Bridget pushed the can closer to Della. “You have to…” She scooted the can over an inch. “It was a dare.” Bridget was trying not laugh.

          Della grimaced as she gingerly picked up the can. “Fine. I will. But don’t look at me when there’s pink colored vomit all over the floor.” Della said jokingly. She slowly picked up the spoon that was now full of mashed beets.

          She put it into her mouth, and quickly swallowed. She opened her mouth a gasped for air, for she was holding her breath as not to taste the vegetables.

          After four more disgusting spoonfuls, Della was finished and set the can on a nearby coffee table.

          “That,” said Della, “is the most disgusting thing on the face of this planet. I honestly don’t know how people eat those.”

          Charlotte and Bridget laughed.

          “Now, who’s next?” Charlotte asked.

          “You are, my dahhh-ling.” Della said, grinning.

“Fine.” Charlotte said, anticipating.

Della smiled, satisfied. “Charlotte O’Brien, truth, or dare?”

“Truth.” Charlotte said.

“Chicken.” Della replied quickly.

Charlotte smirked. “I don’t want to eat a can of beets!”

“True,” Della said.

“So, Charlotte, is it true that…you are in love with a guy with black hair, gray eyes, thick frame glasses, named Henry Vongaurt?” Della leaned forward on her knees.

Charlotte turned as red as a fire truck. “What?! Who told you? It wasn’t Mark, was it? Because I didn’t tell him but he thought I did so he ALMOST told Henry until�"“

Della was amused. “Char, calm down. No one told me. I just guessed…I’m your best friend, I should know stuff like this without you having to tell me!” Della said.

Charlotte’s alerted face calmed.

Bridget was curious. “So, do you?” Bridget said, wanting Charlotte to answer officially.

Charlotte’s eyes darted around. Finally she answered. “…Yes.” She peeped.

Della and Bridget squealed with excitement as the bounced up and down on their knees.

“I knew it!” said Della. “I KNEW it!”

“Shhhh…” said Charlotte cautiously. “I don’t want anyone to hear!”  

Della’s smile got even bigger. “I’m SO glad you like him…you guys would be such a cute couple…” Della said excitedly.

Bridget smiled along. “I agree.”

Charlotte looked down. “Well, it’s not like we could ever date. I mean…we all know who he’s got his eyes on.” Charlotte peered over the top of her glasses to Bridget

          Bridget tried to play dumb, but she knew she wasn’t good at it. She widened her eyes. “Me?”

          “Yes!” Charlotte said. “Everyone can tell. I’ll just face it: I’m a lost hope. I can never get anyone to notice me.” Charlotte started to marinate in her misery.

          “Oh, Charlotte, it’s okay. You’re so smart, and really nice…I wouldn’t be surprised if a bloke liked you. Just keep your hopes up.” Bridget said, trying to make Charlotte feel better. ‘

          “Thanks, Bridget.” Charlotte said. A smile illuminated her face. “But now it’s your turn for a truth or dare!”

          Bridget pretended to be scared. “Oh no!” She whisper-shouted.

          Charlotte put her fingertips together. “Now, Bridget, truth or dare?”

          “Truth.” Bridget said. She went for the safe option. Or maybe not so safe…

          “Okay,” Charlotte said. “Do you have feelings for oh-so Mysterious Mr. Artiste Dane Engelhart?”

          Della’s eyebrows shot up to the top of her head. She held her hand up in the air to Charlotte for a high five. “Good one!!!”

          Bridget pretended to ponder the thought, even though she knew what she was going to say. Even if she wasn’t sure of the truth. “Nope. Not a bit.”

          Della’s expression changed to a disappointed one. “Seriously? You don’t?”

          “No.” Bridget said, almost laughing.

          “Wow, I thought you did, with the whole umbrella stunt last week.” Charlotte said as she giggled.

          Bridget laughed. “Stunt! It was raining…I was soaked…” Bridget defended.

          “And in loooove!” Della said, teasing.

          “Not a chance…” Bridget said. “He’s too quiet. And plus, he’s barely even spoken to me.”

          “But you’re the one he’s spoken MOST to…that’s the point.” Charlotte said.

          Bridget rolled her eyes. “Well, that may be true, but I do not have feelings for him.” Bridget said stubbornly. “At all.” She added.

          And with that, the girls played for another two hours with side conversations and snacks in between. Soon, the clock struck eleven, and they decided to end the game and pop in a movie.

          They all sat on the big, long couch and began to watch the romantic comedy that Charlotte had picked out.

          Bridget was focused on the movie at first, but then her mind began to drift. She thought of Henry and Dane. She didn’t know about Dane…did she like him after all? She was best friends with Henry, and felt bad that he liked her instead of Charlotte. She wished she could change it all around. But she knew she couldn’t…there was no way. She felt tired now…her mind needed a rest. So as her mind began to drift further and further, her ability to stay awake faded, and she soon drifted into sleep. 

Reviews

[Short.Nerd]

I KNEW CHARLOTTE LIKED HENRY.... xD lol..... Hmm... I still think Bridget likes Henry. lol... can't wait to read more :)

[compositionc]

Aw....poor Char. BRIDGET WAS LYING. SHE LUUUUUUUURVES Dane.