Lost Cause Diaries #3: When Friends Move On

CHAPTER 1: ANATOMY OF A FRIENDSHIP

Lucy and Frieda. While their friendship got off to a rocky start after Linus had introduced Frieda to Lucy, and Frieda seemingly having a crush on Schroeder like Lucy, they became best friends. In fact, everyone liked Frieda. She was a nice girl. She never relished in teasing Charlie Brown like the other girls did, nor was she ever mean to anyone, for that matter. And yet, she was best friends with the meanest girl in town, Lucy Van Pelt. They would often talk about many things on the ball field during a game, or even go to one another's house and hang out. In fact, the only one that Frieda had a problem with was Snoopy, Charlie Brown's dog. She had preconceived ideas about how a dog should act and what a dog should be doing. But aside from that, Frieda was well-liked by everyone, even the coldest of kids.

But as the gang began their freshman year at Sparkyville High School, things had changed. While Lucy and Frieda were still best friends at this point, Frieda was noticing a change in her friend. She had started gaining a substantial amount of weight since grade school, not to mention her attitude getting even worse than when they were young kids. The question wasn't "What was Lucy crabby about", it was more like "What wasn't Lucy crabby about". Linus was at his wits end with his sister, and all of the other kids that hung out with her was starting to get tired of her bad attitude. She even started having bad hygiene due to her largeness. She wasn't properly bathing at that point, and it turned folks away from her. She was a hefty 300 pounds by the time she entered high school. Lucy had to go to large women stores to find clothes that fit her large frame.

But Lucy's weight gain and bad hygiene was the least of Frieda's concerns. Her crabby personality had become even worse with age. Usually folks would outgrow something like that, but instead of getting better, Lucy was getting crabbier. And this particular day, Lucy was griping quite a bit, even for her.

"That little snot of a brother of mine ate the last bagel this morning at breakfast!" Lucy ranted. "I may have to remind him who's boss in the hierarchy of our family."

"Uh huh," said Frieda, rolling her eyes.

"And then Linus had the nerve to take the last strips of bacon!" Lucy continued. "The only thing that saved him a beatdown from me was the fact he did split the bacon with me. At least he's starting to wise up! Rerun needs some conditioning, though."

"You have a hard life, Lucy," Frieda said, sarcastically.

"I know," Lucy said. "Rerun also drank all of the orange juice! His excuse? He said he was a growing boy. But I told him that if he drank the last of the OJ again, I'd stunt his growth that he wouldn't have to worry about growing up!"

"Way to lay down the law," sighed Frieda.

"Thank you. Anyway, who do you have for first period?"

"I have Mr. Findlay for Science, and then…"

"HEY, BLOCKHEAD!" Frieda was interrupted by Lucy calling to Charlie Brown, who didn't look like he was interested in talking to Lucy.

"What do you want, Lucy?" asked a disinterested Charlie Brown.

"Who do you have first period?!" she asked.

"If you must know, I have Mrs. Hawley for History," said Charlie Brown.

"I hope you can have a decent grade in there for once, dummy!" Lucy said without a shred of remorse. Charlie Brown rolled his eyes. He wasn't getting hurt by Lucy's insults like he used to. He just wished that she would finally grow up for once, but that wasn't happening anytime soon.

"I also have Mrs. Hawley in first period," said Linus, walking towards his friends and sister. Because of his smarts, he was skipped a couple of grades that he was in the same grade as Charlie Brown and the others.

"Great, Linus," said Charlie Brown with a smile.

"Yeah, real great," sneered Lucy. "The Blockhead Twins, Charlie Brown and my little brother, in the same class. How sweet!"

"Bite me, Lucy!" growled Linus. As the years went, Linus had even less patience for his sister's antics than anyone.

"WHAT DID YOU SAY?!" screamed Lucy.

"What the hell's going on here?" It was Molly Volley, Snoopy's old tennis mixed-doubles partner. She had been made Hall Monitor. "Van Pelt, harass your brother on your own time and find your class!"

"Fine!" sighed Lucy. "We'll finish this later, turd!" And she shoved Charlie Brown out of the way and headed to her class.

"See you guys later," said Frieda, sheepishly, as she went to her class.

"Thanks, Molly," said Linus.

"If she gives you any trouble, Linus," Molly said, "let me know. Even if she is your sister, I'm not going to let her pick on you. That goes for you too, Charlie Brown. If Lucy starts any trouble, let me know."

"Sure, Molly," said Charlie Brown.

"Well you two better head to class, as well," Molly finished. "No need for me to write you two tardy notices, even though you are friends of mine." And the two boys complied and went to their class to start the day.

NEXT CHAPTER: MAKING NEW FRIENDS