Kara's Cross

When I woke up this morning, I was optimistic for an improved day; everything was going to change for the better, but it has only been routine so far. I sit in my assigned seat in Reading class, attempting to look as pleasant as possible, smiling and nodding to other students walking to their desks.

I did see Logan standing outside as my dad was pulling up to the school, but he walked around the corner before I exited the car; I haven’t seen him since. He has always been a good friend and even now is obviously trying to fulfill my wishes by staying away. I wish I knew if I was doing the right thing by keeping him at a distance.

I look over at the door to see Maddie walking in the room. I smile at her and give her a small wave of my hand. She hesitates, but only for a brief moment before looking away without any acknowledgment of my wave. I hope she will let me talk to her. My dad thinks if I tell her the complete truth and let her know I am really sorry, she will forgive me.

Maddie puts her books down on top of her desk before walking toward me. She doesn’t look angry, but she doesn’t look happy either. I’ll just tell her how sorry I am and ask if I can talk to her during lunch.

“Kara,” Maddie begins as soon as she is within whispering distance, “what you did was really nice. I appreciate you trying to make up for what happened, but I hope you’re not expecting me to forget everything else.”

What did I do?

“I’m not sure what you’re talking about, Maddie. I was just going to tell you how sorry I was about everything and beg for your forgiveness.”

“I’m talking about my mom’s job, Kara. They called her back in late last night. He was suddenly convinced she had nothing to do with the stolen clothes and gave her back her job. My mom said it was strange. Her boss didn’t know what really happened, he was just positive she had nothing to do with it. It’s as if someone told him what to believe. So, like I said, thanks for trying to fix things.”

It had to be Logan. He must have gone to the mall last night after he left my house.

“Maddie, I want you to know I’m sorry for everything,” the bell is about to ring, so I speak as quickly as possible, “I was wrong and acted like an idiot. I want you to know I am no longer using my power. I really want us to be friends again! Can we talk at lunch?”

Maddie’s face is conflicted, unsure of how to respond. The bell rings and our teacher stands up, walking around to the front of her desk.

“Good morning, class,” Mrs. Summers addresses all of us, then turns to face Maddie, “and good morning Maddie, could you please take your seat?”

“Yes, sorry, Mrs. Summers,” Maddie blurts out before heading toward her seat, whispering quickly as she departs, “I’ll see you at lunch, Kara.”

**********

“So, now you know everything, Maddie. I just hope you can forgive me. I was a moron.”

Maddie is silence is deafening. I forgot how much I enjoy her company.

“So, you only went to Nouveau once and only got one shirt?”

“That’s right,” I nod, “but I know I was part of the reason your mom was fired, and I am so sorry.”

“But, you’re not the one who got her job back,” she continues, “you think it was Logan.”

I nod again.

“How did your dad react to all of this?” Maddie asks, “You told him everything, right?”

“He took it better than I thought he would. At first, he was only focusing on the bullying parts, saying repeatedly he should never have let me go to school this year. Eventually, he seemed to realize all the things I was doing which I shouldn’t have been, and he was really quiet.”

“Did he get mad?”

“No,” I shake my head, “it was more like he was disappointed in me, which I think is worse. He didn’t say anything for a long time, but eventually he said me he loved me and was glad I told him the truth.”

“He just believed you when you told him about your power?”

“I don’t think he did right away,” I admit, “but when I described the power and told him all the times I’ve used it and what it does to my body, he told me it was incredible, but made sense. He wants to do some research to find out if anyone else has it. He’s also pretty happy I’ve decided not to use it anymore.”

“Why hadn’t you told your dad before this? I mean, why was I the first person you told?”

I try to recall the fear, the uncertainly, before I answer her.

“My dad kept me out of school for years, because of what happened in first grade,” my voice catches, “he’s always trying to protect me, to make sure everything will be okay. He’s told me more than once losing my mom almost killed him, he could never stand to lose me, too. I always felt broken, like something needing to be fixed around my dad, but with you,” I smile, “you made me feel whole, like I am fine the way I am. Telling you the truth was easily the right choice.”

She opens her mouth to speak, but nothing comes out. She smiles and reaches for my hand. After a few moments, she breaks the silence, letting go of my hand.

“Did you tell him about Logan?”

“I didn’t think I had any right to. I just left out the parts of the story when he used his power, or I led my dad to think I was the one who used it each time.”

I look at her expectantly, my doubt increasing at her sudden lack of response.

“Kara,” she begins, “of course we can be friends again. It never really felt right when we weren’t. I shouldn’t have been telling you what to do with your powers, but I am glad you’re not going to be using them free stuff anymore. I’m sorry I tried to tell you to change.”

“Don’t be sorry, I was stupid and selfish. I just wish I would have realized it before people started getting hurt.”

“Now we can go back to being as unpopular as ever!” Maddie teases.

“Yeah,” I laugh, “maybe we can come up with some new ideas for our next set of operations.”

I glance over and see Logan sitting at a table by himself. He turns his head away from us as he realizes I have noticed him. It doesn’t feel right shutting him out.

“Maddie?”

“Yeah?”

“Logan really isn’t a bad guy. I know he said he wasn’t going to stop using his powers, but I’m sure he never wants to see anybody hurt by them. He did get your mom her job back, after all.”

“What are you asking, Kara?”

“Umm...” I pause to come up with the right words, “I had told Logan I didn’t want to be around him if he is going to continue using his powers, but it seems wrong of me, especially if he really doesn’t want to cause anyone harm. I guess I want to know if it’s okay if he hangs out with us.”

“Getting my mom’s job back is proof enough for me,” she begins, “I’m okay with Logan being around unless people start getting hurt.”

I begin sorting the dishes on my tray, getting ready for the bell that ends lunch.

“I’ll talk to him on the way to English class,” I inform, getting up from the bench.

“Okay,” Maddie replies, standing as the bell sounds, “I’ll see you in class.”