“Ringgg!”

“Heyyo Rosetta, you hear that? It’s finally the end of school! It’s been a long day, hasn’t it?”

“Yeah, it’s been a long day...”

“Woah, are you okay? Why do you sound so despondent? I thought all’s good after that heart-to-heart talk we had earlier.”

“Yeah, it’s just...it’s still difficult for me to not compare myself with....her.”

“You know what? Don’t think too much! Let’s go get some Shake Shack today! My treat. Great burgers will make you feel better! As for Syndesi, we have plenty of time for you two to know each other.”

“Shake Shack? Isn’t it quite expensive?”

“Hey, don’t worry about it! It’s not like I didn’t know you are thrifty. And I know that you are saving money for your family. So just take my hand and follow my lead.”

“Okay. Thank you Abigail. But you can be less blunt about it.”

“Come on, you already know that I’m a straightforward person from the beginning. This is who I am! And I ain’t gonna change HAHA.”

“I really can’t win you when it comes to words, can I?”

“I mean, you can win with your fists.”

Rosetta plays along by raising her fist in the air, ready to strike. Her eyes sharpened to the edges as she gives off a menacing stare. Like a predator who found its lost prey, she grinned widely. It was as though she was saying: “Try me if you dare.”

Whoever saw this would immediately call the police! I mean, teacher! After all, Rosetta was much taller than Abigail. A skyscraper and a cottage house. It must have been the effect of puberty drawn to the extremes.

But Abigail knew this was another one of Rosetta’s ploys. So she couldn’t care less.

“WOAH WOAH, SEE! RIGHT AFTER I SAID IT! You really need to learn to control your temperament, Rosetta.”

If there was one person who could tame Rosetta, it was Abigail.

Abigail’s frank and blatant honesty was Rosetta’s pillar of support. Her tiny presence pulled Rosetta through tough times. Abigail was her Achilles’ Heel. There was nothing she could do but play along with Abigail. It had become second nature.

“Ain’t gonna change cuz this is who I am!”

“HEY! If you are trying to imitate me, put in some effort at least. I don’t sound like a crude old man! PFFT! Anyways, let’s go get those burgers!! We need to go now to avoid the crowd.”

"Yeah, let’s go.”

It was a mentally draining day for Rosetta but it just got better. Because of her one and only best friend, Abigail.

But things weren’t looking as optimistic for Ruth and Syndesi.