It's midnight. The wind is howling loudly outside. I watch as the teen in the bed tosses and turns. The wind is making it hard for her to sleep. I watch as she opens her eyes and look into mine. "You okay Carley?" I ask her.
"I just need my MP3 walkman, then I'll be fine." She answers. By the way my name is Shrek and I'm a Guardian Ogre. Guardian Ogres are supposed to protect the kid they're with and help them but I befriended Carley seeing as nobody would. She's a very special kid. She has a powerful imagination, so powerful, it can create new worlds.
She has short red and black hair. She tried to grow it long for a braid like Fiona's but gave up after several failed attempts. She's slender bodied because she has Diabetes Type 2 and lost a lot of weight by taking care of herself. She's also disabled with Bardel Biedl Syndrome, Sclerosis and Diabetes. The syndrome affects her sight so she can't see in the dark or see sides. When outside, she has to use a symbol cane but people notice and stare.
I'm really her only friend and hero. She admires me for many reasons but in Duloc, it's OK to be different or disabled and she loves that too. She and I live in a downstairs flat her parents got built onto the house for her. They don't know anything about me because Carley never tells them about me. She has low self esteem and no self confidence so she never says what she thinks unless she's talking to me.
I yawn and climb into bed beside her. She smiles at that. "Hey Shrek who do you think will move into the house beside us? Will they have other kids like me?" she asks. The house beside hers has been vacant since the neighbours moved out. "I'm not so sure. Maybe some family with kids about your sister's age." I answer. She looks sad at that. Lots of the kids around here aren't in her age group. But the fact that she's… different brings up barriers.
"I wish it's somebody cool." Carley says as she falls asleep. I hope that wouldn't happen because it'd be hard for us to be friends and for me to help her.
The next morning we woke up. Carley then opened the door and walked into the kitchen for breakfast. My stomach is rumbling but I can't go in there or her family would freak. I hear the door open as she comes back in with a plate of toast. "Thanks. Did your Mom ask about the toast?" I say. "No she didn't. I have to get ready for the new neighbours. They're coming soon." Carley replies sadly. "Hey it'll be okay. Maybe these neighbours will be different." I tell her making a face. She laughs as she walks into her bathroom with clothes.
I still ate. She'd put peanut butter on it. I like the way it crunches. She came out wearing her black Rock Princess top with blck jeans. "Nice choice! You look awesome!" I say. She smiles at me. "Thanks amigo. At least you understand I'm not insane or a frwak." she says as she hears her Mom call her. "I'll see you later, okay?" she tells me as she closes and locks the door so nobody can get in and find me there.
I hear the wheels as the moving van pulls outside the new house. I know I'm in Carley's flat and can't go out but I can see what's happening out there in my head. The new family gets out. They're black skinned. There's a Mom, a Dad and two kids. The girl looks seventeen with long chestnut hair, wore black clothes, had dark brown eyes. "Carley?" I hear her ask my friend. "How do you know me? I-I don't know you!" Carley replies. "It's me Leah." the black skinned girl replies. Carley just hugs her without fear. "I can't believe it! You're here! Now we don't have to just hang on line." she says. "Is this the friend from America you talk to?" I hear Carley's Mom Karen ask her. "Yes Mom it is. Leah this is my Mom and sister Molly. My Dad is at work. He won't be back until later." Carley answers. Leah's Mom smiled at that. "It's nice to meet you dear. Leah talks about you most of the time when off the Internet." Leah's Mom told Carley.
"Cool! Come on let's go inside!" Carley told Leah as they go inside. I open my eyes and am worried. Leah's a big fan of me too and into most of the same stuff as Carley. I gulp nervously as I hear the door open. "Wow! Shrek and you are friends! Cool! But how?" Leah asked Carley. "It's a long story." Carley replies as they sit on the couch beside me. "I've got time." Leah tells her...