Crystal

Episode 11

"Where have you been child?" Her mother asked as she let herself into the room.

"Told you we've got something to do at school"

"Yeah... Right! How was school today?" She asked again.

"It was fine" she answered and dropped her bag.

"Are you okay?" Her mother asked in a small voice.

"Yeah... Just tired a bit"

"Go freshen up, I made your favorite"

"Oh really?" Lucinda beamed. "Thanks mom!"

Lucinda picked her bag and went into her room. She looked at herself in the mirror and smiled wearily. She was trying her best not to feel down with everything going on around her. She undressed herself and hopped into the shower. She felt her body relax as the cold water cascaded on her body. It'd been a hot hectic day. Soon, she was done. She turned off the shower and dried her body with her towel.

'There was no need to feel bad because she wasn't a rich man's daughter' she reminded herself as she dressed up. Her mother had been a super woman, trying to fix everything all by herself.

"If only father wasn't killed" she lamented thoughtfully.

Well, she'd decided to be great and no one can stop that.

"Your food's ready!" Her mother announced.

"Thanks mom"

Lucinda sat to enjoy her meal.

"Well, we've got another job" her mother announced.

"Oh!" She muttered.

The last time her mother got a job, it was at Rosy's. 'Who knows if this job is at Cassy's she wondered as she continued with her meal.

Whatever it was, she knew they had to do it because their survival depended on every job her mother gets.

★ ★ ★

"You get to be paid four hundred dollars per hour" Lucinda watched as the stranger negotiated with her mother. She had kept her fears aside and decided to work with her mother. Besides, she knew no one dared touch her when her mother was around.

"Alright ma'am" her mother answered. She watched as the servants brought out the fabrics.

"Quite easy" she thought and helped her mother. For hours, they continued with the job non stop. They'd both agreed to work for three hours.

Lucinda stood to adjust her glove, only to meet face to face with a girl of about her age. The girl walked closer to her, while Lucinda continued with her job. She wouldn't want to get into trouble with another spoilt kid.

"Hey!" Lucinda looked up to see the same girl.

"Hi!" Lucinda answered slowly.

"Is this really your hair?" She asked inquisitively

"Yeah!"

"Wow!" She muttered.

"Can I touch it please? " she asked again.

"Yeah! "

Lucinda was beginning to feel uncomfortable but she doesn't want to sound rude.

The strange girl moved closer and touched the tip of her hair.

"Wow! So cool. I'm Crystal" she stated and brought out her hand for a handshake.

"My hands are dirty" Lucinda protested.

"Come on" she said and flashed her a big smile. Lucinda wiped her wiped and took the strange girl's hand shyly.

"I'm Lucinda"

"Wow! You're so beautiful Lucinda" she complimented.

"Thank you..... You're beautiful too"

"Uhmm can we be friends Lucinda?" Lucinda was completely taken aback.

"You want me to be your friendIt's She asked not believing her ears.

"Yeah!"

"Really?"

"You don't want me to be your friend?" Crystal was confused.

"No no I don't mean that.... I was just surprised" Lucinda stated quickly.

"Why are you confused?"

"Uhmm no one wants to be my friend because I.... Uhmmm don't worry about it. I'll love to be your friend" she answered sweetly

"You're so sweet Lucie... Can I have your contact?" Crystal asked.

Lucinda shook her head. She'd never own a phone her entire life.

"It's okay! I understand"

"You can contact me through my mom though, if you don't mind"

"You think she's gonna be cool with that?"

"Yeah!"

Lucinda paused and looked at the brown headed girl.

"Crystal?" She called.

"Yeah!"

"Why do you wanna be friends with me?" She asked.

"Well, I've got no friends plus we just got here from Florida few weeks ago"

"Oh okay!"

Crystal watched as Lucinda continued with her job tiredlessly.

"Wished I could work like you"

"Work like me? Don't be silly!" Lucinda stated which made the both of them laugh.

"Wish I could attend the same school with you"

"Uhn uhn! What's the name of your school?" Lucinda asked

"Not resumed yet but I got admitted already into Royals High school"

"That's my school" Lucinda replied slowly.

"Are you for real?" Crystal asked in awe

Lucinda was dumbstruck when Crystal shouted excitedly before hugging her.

"I'm so excited!!!" She beamed.

Both girls girls watched as a black range rover sped into the garage.

"Gotta go! Catch ya later girlfriend" Crystal stated as she left to welcome her father.

Lucinda watched excitedly, part of her still wouldn't a girl from a rich home has chosen to make friends with her.

She'd decided not to make friends with anyone especially the rich ones because she was of lower standard.

★ ★ ★

"You've got a call Lu... " Lucinda heard her mother.

"A call?" She'd never had a call from anyone.

"You sure about that muvver?" She teased as she collected the phone from her mother.

"Hello Lucie" the voice on the other end called.

"Hello"

"It's Crystal"

Lucinda mouthed an "oh!" at the realization of who it was.

"I'm sorry to bother you"

"Nah, it's cool"

"Been indoor for a while, feel like going out to have some fun... Dunno if we can go out together" she stated while fidgeting about the whole thing.

Lucinda shook her head immediately.

"I'm sorry Crys.... "

"She'll be coming with you... Don't worry your head" her mother interrupted and ended the call.

"Mom!!" Lucinda protested.

"Come on baby, you've been indoor all day and not like you've got something to lose if you go out together" her mother explained. She had always wanted Lucinda to make friends in the neighborhood but she'd turned out to be a loner like her. She'd been scared Lucinda would never have another person except her in her life. Then Crystal insisting to be her friend had been an answered prayer.

Personally, she knew Lucinda detested making friends with her contemporiaries.

"She will be here soon, you need to dress up" her mother stated as she checked her outfit.

"Do you think I can trust her mom?"

"You should baby... Even if she betrays you, it's part of life. Pain helps you grow but that shouldn't stop you from giving your best to people. We may not be rich in material things but we are rich here" she stated and touched her chest.

"Thanks mom!" Lucinda muttered as she shared a long hug with her mother.

"It's fine baby. Now go dress up"

★ ★ ★

Lucinda laid tiredly on her bed. She'd gone out with Crystal and had a lot of fun. She brought a picture they'd taken at the park and smiled. Crystal had changed her perception about rich kids being spoilt.

Crystal had made her feel equal among the others and bought different gifts for her and her mother.

"Say me hi to mother" she'd said when she alighted from the car.

'Who could have thought a rich kid could do that?'

She hid the picture under her pillow.

'Monday would be a fun filled day because Crystal would be at school!'