"What the hell?"I exclaimed. I could not keep my surprise in.
"Yes, Kyla McAllister is my aunt".
"But you both do not seem like the close relative kind".
"She thinks I have grown too sassy and she is always criticizing me."She had started crying. "Nothing I do is ever enough to make anyone happy. I study hard to get good grades and no one seems to care".
"It does not seem like it". I didn't believe she studies hard to get grades.
"I do, I just do not like to show it. I used to be gentle and generous and an A+ student. People called me a nerd and did not see the reason why I hard to study like that. My parents never appreciated me and even got divorced. I had to live with my dad and his wife. Trust me she knows how to make life hell".
"I lost my dad too a few years ago. My stepdad isn't the best person either. Simon is my stepbrother".
"Yeah, I know. Mikayla is his sister".
"No, she is my sister, not Simon's".
"Oh. I am sorry".
"It's ok really. I guess we have more in common than we will like to admit".
"Maybe, except that you have everything you will ever want".
"You can not be so sure, Kim". I got up from my sofa and sat on the arm of her own chair, I put my hands around her shoulders to comfort her.
"Your dad was a pilot, a successful pilot for that matter. You do not have to worry about money, I do". She wiped the teardrops running down her face. She took a bottle of water from her bag and gulped it.
"My parents fought a lot while we were growing up. The fights went on and on until what happened to my sister. Mum and dad loved Mercedes but they didn't love me or least never showed me. Mercedes had always been the rebel. I was the gentle and shy one but no one liked me for that. Now that I have decided to be more like Mercedes, they all think am sassy".
"You can not always please everyone, it is one thing about life that you should know. People will always criticize your actions but you should be able to defend yourself. Your most powerful asset is your voice, Kim". I felt so proud of myself to be able to advise someone. I really need one myself but it was really great to give that nice pep talk.
"Easy for you to say. Barbie, you're different from all of us. I don't know how you manage to soar high above your problems but I really appreciate that quality. It not so easy to be the new girl in school. Kyla never forgave my mum till now".
Kyla never forgave Kim's mom? How so?
I didn't ask her though because I had no intention of intruding. We have never been so at peace with each other and I did not plan to ruin the moment.
"You are probably wondering what am talking about?"Kim finally said.
"I am but it's okay if you do not want to share".
"My mum is the older sister while Kyla is younger. McAllister is my mom and Kyla's maiden name. My grandfather had them from two different relationships. My grandma was never married to granddad while Kyla's mum was married to him for two years before they got divorced. My mum lived with her dad so when Kyla's mum remarried, Kyla moved to granddad's house. There are different versions to the story but my own conclusion is that Kyla was not really welcomed by the students. She wasn't very much accepted and was bullied very often. Kyla claims she is the most successful of all her counterparts. I still do not think that being a principal in the same school you once attended counts as success".
"She attended this school".
"Yes, she did. Kyla is a bully Barbara, be careful of her. She thinks am trying to be like my mum and that is why she hates me or so she claims".
"Wow, how do you know all of this?".
"Let's say I have my sources". We both laughed.
"But your mom and Kyla have settled their differences, right?".
"I would not get used to calling her Kyla if I were you". She giggled. "Actually high school was just the beginning of a never-ending feud. Grandpa died and left a little amount of money, Mom went into business while Kyla attended the teacher's training college. Mum lost all of her money while Kyla meets a handsome son of a millionaire who attended a business school near the teachers training college. Brayden was Mom's high school crush but Kyla got to marry him. Kyla and Brayden moved to Allentown. Ten years after, Kyla caught Brayden cheating and discovered he was gay".
"Ouch!".
"Mum didn't get to live a fairy tale too. Dad lost his job which made her automatically the breadwinner. She had to work two different jobs. Now that they divorced, dad and I have been having serious financial problems". She was already crying again.
"You don't have to cry, it's okay".
"No it is not Barbara, it is not okay. I have to get a scholarship else am never going to further my education. I have a dream even though no one believes me. I want to be a journalist and I work really hard towards achieving my dream even though I do not like to show my efforts because no one probably cares".
"Barbara cares love". I held her tight to me as she cried for all she was worth.
"I have a confession, "I said.
"What is that?".
"I probably should not be saying this but I feel a bit more relaxed to know that you have your problems too. I have a lot of this I am going through right now too. When I see you at school every day, I feel a bit inferior to see you go around all day being Queen of girls and all. It makes me feel like the only one with problems. When you walk down the hallway every day you look like a demi-goddess like you have no flaws at all. If there is anything I like about you, it is your confidence and your ability to hide your problems. You should not let go of that quality now Kim. When the going gets tough, the tough get going".
"Thanks, Barbie, that really helped".
"The pleasure is mine".
"Have you ever considered being a public speaker" We laughed really hard and almost broke our rib cage. We hugged each other and Kim began crying again.
"Kim, I told you to stop crying".
"I just can't help it, am sorry".
"Everything will be alright".
"It has been so long since I felt this connection with someone. I don't even remember being hugged".
"Aww. I am so sorry to hear that".
Suddenly she jerked.
"Barbara" She sat upright and looked at me really seriously.
"What happened. Is it something I did?".
"You have to swear Barbara," She said as tears laced her eyes.
"Swear?".
"Promise me you will never tell anyone about our conversation".
We heard footsteps. The door made a sound and then opened. Principal McAllister walked in. Kim rushed out immediately.
"Thank you ma. Once again, I am really sorry".
"What did you do?".
"Fighting and also the scandal thing".
"Oh no not that"She waved. "I meant what did you do to McAdams?"
"Me? I did not do anything to her".
"Hmmm. Normally when she gets detention with someone, the student usually ends up crying. With you, she ended up crying".
"I didn't do anything, we were only talking"
"Kimberley McAdams, talking to you? I could learn a lot from you".
"I really have to go ma".
"Remember when I said you are popular girl material, I was right".
"Well, you weren't wrong".
"I think you should contest to be president".
"No".
"Yes".
"But why?".
"To mess with Kim".
"I ask again, why?".
"You might not understand now but you will later. You have got the skills and potentials, Marvel".
"I don't know".
"Let's say rather than inviting your parents and telling them about the diary thing and probably getting suspended, you contest in the election".
"Are you blackmailing me?".
"Let's call it a compromise Marvel".
I remembered Kim's words. Principal McAllister really is a bully.
"Ok then, we have a deal".
"Good girl see me in my office during break tomorrow and bring you to bring your essay along".
"Great, just what I needed, more homework," I said sarcastically and left the crypt not caring that I do not know my way out. I just wanted to be as far away from Principal McAllister as possible.