A Brighter Tomorrow: My Journey with Julie

The Water Fountain Girls haven’t noticed us yet, so there’s time to run for cover. I feel a rush of energy from standing up to Stinger, but we came to the conservatory to get away from confrontation, not get pulled into another one. I whisper that we should move on. I grab her hand and the duck around the corner. Julie gives me a mischievous grin as the three girls stroll by, twittering about a new hairstyle that they think is “boss.” When the coast is clear, we scurry in the opposite direction. Our quick escape put us in a silly mood. We head towards the front of the conservatory and pretend we’re being followed as if we’re in a spy movie. We hide behind hibiscus blossoms, peer out from behind trees, and spin around corners like secret agents.

I ask Julie why they’re called the Water Fountain Girls, and Julie says they always hang around the water fountain at school, gossiping about other kids. Since Julie is new, she’s usually the one they gossip about. I nod sympathetically. It’s hard being the new kid at school. I tell her that I miss my best friend in Ohio. Julie nods. Her best friend lived across the street from her in her old neighborhood. Her name is Ivy and…

Julie pauses. There Ivy is!

I turn and see a family entering the greenhouse. An Asian girl with cropped black hair turns around and waves and jumps up and down when she sees Julie. I recognize her face from the photo on Julie’s dresser. The girls run to each other and hug. I hang back, feeling awkward. Julie calls me over and introduces me to Ivy’s parents, brother, and sister.

Suddenly, I miss my best friend, Chloe, so much that my throat tightens as if I’m about to cry. But I shake it off and return Ivy’s smile. Ivy asks if we were about to leave. Julie says that we were, but now that she’s here, we can stay longer. She turns to me with hope in her eyes. I swallow. I love spending time with Julie, and Ivy seems nice, but I’m worried I might feel like a third wheel now that Julie’s got her best friend here. And I’m missing Chloe more than ever. Maybe it’s time for me to return home.