May's Confession

Dannie pulled up a seat next to me as the other students started to leave for lunch. For some reason, I wanted to hug her and tell her to go away, both at the same time. "How did it go with Linda?"

I turned away from Dannie. I'm so ashamed of myself. Why did I do something like that? We were on our way to becoming friends, but now she won't want to see me again. I began to cry.

"Oh, it's alright, May." Dannie said. She put an arm around me and pulled me in tight.

"Go away." I said. "Go away!"

But Dannie only held me tighter. She's so warm.

"I'm not going anywhere, May." She said, and I cried harder and pressed my face on her shoulder. "Come on, tell me what happened."

"She hates me now."

"Who does, Linda?" She asked. When I heard her name, it just made me cry harder. I couldn't even think straight. Why couldn't I just keep my hands to myself? "After all the things that you told me about her, there's no way she's the kind of person to hate you for some small reason."

"You don't get it, Dannie." I sobbed. "I kissed her."

"Is that all?" She laughed. I felt my anger begin to boil over.

"You always make my problems sound significant." I said. "I hate you!"

Even as I said it, the words felt strange – almost like they weren't my own.

"Sorry, May, I didn't mean-" She paused for a moment and pushed me back. Although she smiled at me, I could see that her lips were quivering.

"Dannie, I-"

"I should give you some space." She said as she got up and headed to the door. "Let's talk later, okay?"