She had never been very good with words. She didn't have to be. She was fluent in body language. Tiana, on the other hand, had a gift. She picked up french just by walking around in the Vieux Carré. She spoke it beautifully.

"Oh, tell me a story Ti!" she would say, and lay her head in her friend's lap. "One I can't understand."

"Now Lottie, you know I don't got time to indulge you," Tiana would respond, and stand up, dropping Charlotte's head to the ground. "I already told you, mama's behind on work and I promised I'd help out!"

Then Charlotte would beg and plead and pout and grab on to Tiana's ankles.

"Tiana, I don't want to, cause I spent a lotta time on my mascara this morning, but I will cry if need be!"

Tiana grunted and jerked her ankle out of Charlotte's surprisingly strong grip. She was just about to march on home, when she turned her head around just in time to see a single tear roll down Charlotte's face. At first, Tiana couldn't help but think how enchanting her best friend looked in the twilight. But then, a beautiful tear turned into a riotous sob. Charlotte really wasn't kidding about crying as a weapon. Tiana hated to see anyone cry, especially Charlotte. Even if she knew it was just a ploy.

"Hey, would you just- no, please can you- ok, don't- no no no, Lottie..." Tiana awkwardly stammered while patting Charlotte's back. Comfort was not her first language.

She sighed, sat down, and gently pressed Charlotte's head back into her lap.

"Alright, Lottie. Alright. Mama can wait a few more minutes." She cleared her throat and started talking in a language Charlotte would never know.

Charlotte never even knew what Tiana's stories were about. For all she knew, Tiana could have spent the next fifteen minutes listing all of Charlotte's bad traits in french, and Charlotte still would have closed her eyes and breathed deeply, hoping to inhale every letter she spoke.

By the time Tiana had finished speaking, Charlotte was half-asleep and grinning like she was dreaming of some fantastic secret.

"Lottie, if you're not even going to pay attention-"

"Nooo, I was listening, I swear!" Charlotte interrupted, sitting up and snapping out of her near comatose state. "You just sound like a lullaby, is all," She giggled and nudged her friend. "Sorry I made you late, Ti."

Tiana exhaled and at first Charlotte couldn't tell if she was exasperated or amused. "Well, mama knew I was with you, so I really doubt she expected me to be back on time anyway." She put her head on Charlotte's shoulder and smiled.

"Ti?"

"Yeah?"

"You're a good friend."

"I know."