CHAPTER 5: FROM DENIAL TO ACCEPTANCE
As the days went on, Peppermint Patty accepted that Charlie Brown and Abigail were an item. And she saw how well they were together. She had grown to like the new girl in his life and since their talk, she had accepted them being together. Marcie had also taking a liking to Marcus, as he shared her love for books and the academic stuff. Charlie Brown was relieved that his old friends liked his new ones, and they liked them. Sally had joined with them, as some of the other kids in her grade were either avoiding her or outright didn't like her, so her brother's friends kind of let her into their circle.
They were in the basement with Snoopy hanging out. Peppermint Patty were telling stories about how they all went to France on Foreign Exchange, the time they beat the bullies at camp, and other adventures they went on.
"Sounds like you guys did a lot," said Tyler.
"You had quite a bit of fun," added Marcus.
"Well, aside from those three girls I told you about, most of the kids were great," said Charlie Brown. "I just hated being the scapegoat for everyone, even the kids who were nicer to me."
"Well as we said, we don't target just one kid, especially if we all didn't do our best," Tyler replied.
"Yeah, I was guilty of that more often than not, as well," said Patty.
"At least you apologized, Patty," observed Charlie Brown. "That's actually more than I can say for some of the others, especially those three witches."
"Sometimes anger makes you say stuff you really don't mean," said Marcie. "As long as you know you said it, and after you calm down, you try to make it right. I just wished the kids back in Sparkyville would realize that."
"Amen!" agreed Charlotte. Snoopy walked in with multiple glasses of root beer and served them to the kids, also leaving two for himself and Claudette.
"A toast to friendship!" announced Tyler.
"Hear, hear!" cheered the kids. And they enjoyed the root beer and continued to have some fun together.
Later that evening, Charlie Brown walked Abigail home. Snoopy was also with them. She actually liked Peppermint Patty and Marcie and had no problems with them at all.
"Your friends are very sweet, Charles," she told him. "I can tell they do have your best interests in mind."
"Wait until you meet Linus and Schroeder," said Charlie Brown. "Linus will probably try to have you believe in the Great Pumpkin for Halloween."
"Who?"
"Trust me, you'll find out soon enough. And Schroeder will give you plenty of facts about the composer Beethoven, who he idolizes. He even plays piano and it's usually one of his compositions he's playing."
"You have quite a few interesting friends, Charles, that's for sure. But as long as they're good to you, that's all that matters. And as far as Linus's sister, Lucy is it?" Charlie Brown nodded. "As far as she and those other two girls you talked about, if they try to make trouble for you, let me deal with them. I'll tell them how wonderful you really are."
"Thanks, Abigail." And they had made it to her house. Charlie Brown walked her to the door as Snoopy hung back and waited.
"Well, thank you for another great day, Charles." She kissed him, making him smile and blush. "I'll see you later, my love."
"See you, Abigail." And he and Snoopy headed back home.
NEXT CHAPTER: THE GIRLS LEAVE AND THE BIRD ARRIVES!