Susan Pevensie
"Character is what you are, not what others think you have."– Marva Collins
The four Pevensie children, Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy, stood at the train station, waiting for the train that was to take Peter and Edmund off to one boarding school, and Susan and Lucy off to another. It was the first time the four children had had to be separated for months.
It was also Lucy's first time in boarding school.
"Susan?"
Susan looked down at her younger sister.
"What's wrong, Lu?"she asked.
"I'm scared, Susan,"Lucy confessed. Susan smiled at her sister, taking her hand.
"What are you scared of?"she asked, kneeling down to Lucy's level.
"What if I don't like school? What if I can't make friends?"Lucy asked.
"Oh Lu, don't be silly,"Susan laughed. "You'll make loads of friends. You've always made friends, wherever you go."
"But what if the work is too hard? What if I can't keep up?"Lucy continued.
"You'll keep up fine, Lu. Trust me,"Susan said. "What do you have to be scared about anyways? You'll have me right there with you."
"Not if you get too busy..."Lucy muttered. Susan frowned.
"Too busy?"she repeated. Lucy looked up at Susan with a guilty expression.
"You've got lots of friends, Susan,"she said. "You'll be out at parties constantly."
"Lucy!"Susan gasped. "I can't believe you'd even think something like that."
"You were practically gone all summer!"Lucy insisted.
"That's not true,"Susan defended. "And besides–nothing is more important than my sister. I will always have time for you, Lu."
Lucy looked into Susan's eyes. She was smiling, and there was a bold confidence in her eyes that made Lucy feel happy.
"I know,"she said shyly. Susan smiled, and hugged Lucy tightly.
"Now I want no more of these accusations that I'm too busy for my family,"Susan declared, standing up straight, and addressing all her siblings.
"No one's accusing you of anything, Su,"Peter remarked, confused.
"But it's true,"Edmund confirmed. Peter frowned.
"Edmund!"he snapped.
"Oh please. Like you haven't notice Susan's become the 'pretty one',"Edmund snorted. "I don't think there was a single party she didn't receive grand invitations to. She's too popular for her family now!"
"That's not true!"Susan cried defensively.
"Edmund! That was a dreadful thing for you to say,"Peter scolded.
"I'm not saying anything dreadful! It's the truth,"Edmund insisted.
"So a few people invited me over for civil conversation. That's hardly grounds for becoming the neighborhood beauty, Ed,"Susan retorted.
"Ugh, it's the worse when you talk like that!"Edmund moaned.
"I think the prettier she gets the more boring she gets!"Lucy chimed in.
"Stop it this instant, you two!"Peter shouted. "What would mother and father think of your picking on Susan like this?"
"They'd find it dreadful–they just adore Su. All adults do,"Edmund snorted.
"Come off it!"Susan snapped.
"Ed, please,"Peter sighed, exasperated. "Perhaps some time apart will do us all some good..."
"Oh Peter!"Lucy cried suddenly. "How could you say that?! Things will never be better when we're not together!"
"I'm sorry Lucy,"Peter apologized, kneeling down to Lucy's level and patting her hair. "I just mean perhaps Ed and Su could use some time apart."
"Oh no–I just adore Susan's stuffy new attitude,"Edmund mocked.
"Oh grow up, Edmund!"Susan snapped.
"Both of you grow up!"Peter interjected, stepping between the two.
"That's exactly Susan's problem,"Edmund snapped.
At that moment the train pulled up, and the four Pevensies boarded without another word.
The four Pevensies once again found themselves aboard the train to school–after their second adventure in Narnia, aiding Prince Caspian to claim his rightful throne.
"Well how am I supposed to sit through stuffy, boring old school after that?" Lucy moaned, slumping at the window and pouting.
"Now, now Lu. It will be fine," Susan assured her calmly. Lucy stared at her sister.
"Susan...you must be feeling so dreadful right now," she remarked. Susan frowned.
"Why?" she asked.
"You're never going back to Narnia!" Lucy cried. "Peter, Susan...why aren't you crying and screaming and positively throwing fits right this very moment?"
"That's a very childish thing to say, Lucy," Susan said.
"It's impossible to explain, Lucy. You'll know when your time comes," Peter assured her.
"I can't imagine going back without you two," Lucy said.
"I'm sure you'll manage," Peter laughed.
"Without the High King?" Edmund asked, in all seriousness.
"It's your turn to step up now, Ed," Peter said, grinning at his brother.
"But don't worry about it now, Edmund," Susan said suddenly. "You'll need to focus on your schoolwork."
"School is going to seem ten times more dull now that we've been back to Narnia," Edmund muttered.
"Don't worry, Ed," Susan repeated comfortingly.
Not long after, the train stopped, and it was time for the girls to leave. Lucy hugged Peter and Edmund tightly, as Susan grabbed their bags.
"I'll miss you both dreadfully," Lucy said.
"We'll miss you too, Lu," Peter said, patting her head gently.
Susan handed Lucy her suitcase, and Lucy dashed off the train. Susan and Peter exchanged weary smiles.
"Look after her, Su," Peter said.
"I always do," Susan replied.
"I know," Peter agreed. "Look after yourself too."
Susan just laughed, as she turned and kissed Edmund's head.
"If any bloke gives you trouble, I'll be on the first train over to put him in his place," Edmund insisted.
"Gee, thanks King Edmund," Susan teased. She smiled at her brothers. "I'll write as soon as I can."
"We'll be waiting to hear from you," Peter assured her.
And Susan left her brothers for another school year.