Chapter 4- Judging

Waking up only a few hours after Popuri broke my wrist, I knew that I couldn't just sit around anymore.

Elli popped her head in. "Hi Annie!" She said, smiling. "Lee's just left. Doc's examining another patient and I'm not doing anything in particular." She filled me in.

"Well, what should we do about Popuri?" Elli's expression darkened slightly.

"I think you should choose Lee to prove that you don't need her anymore." Elli suggested. "But don't listen to me! Look where my lame-o advice got you!" Elli shrieked, waving her arms and gesturing wildly.

"C'mon, Elli, you didn't know that would happen." I said, hoping to comfort her. She sighed. "But, El, you do have a point. If I can't trust Popuri, then why should I keep, well, being nice?"

"Oh, Annie, Doc's x-rays came back, and Popuri sprained your wrist."

"That's great. That she didn't break my wrist, I mean." I sighed.

"Oh, Annie!" Elli wailed. "If I were you, I woulda moved away, and changed my name! I'd be hiding! Why don't you leave? Why do you risk what you have in a game you can lose more than everything?"

"Elli!" Doc's distant voice called.

"Better go." Elli said hastily, leaving. But what she said had left an impact. Why didn't I leave? Why wasn't I hiding? My moment of truth had arrived, and I couldn't just jog up to Popuri and tell her whether or not I had chosen her!

I felt tears sting the backs of my eyes. Hadn't everything I thought I had disappeared? I had thought I had a wonderful best buddy, Popuri, but hadn't she turned against me? And Lee had been the cause. If I chose Lee, I would have to live without Popuri, and that would be one of the hardest things to do, ever. But if I chose Popuri, it would be painful to watch her date Lee.

I was in a lose-lose situation, and there was nothing I could do about it.

Except talk to Popuri. If I could talk Popuri out of liking Lee, then maybe I could regain everything I thought I had had.

My future suddenly looked brighter. I would patch up my friendship with Popuri, and fix my new love life with Lee.

When Elli came in, she had sensed my mood change. "What happened to you, Annie? You seem so, well, cheerful." Elli said blankly, obviously confused.

I quickly explained my idea, hoping to please her.

"Are you mad? Did Popuri damage your senses too?" Elli reprimanded. "You have got to be kidding. Popuri'll kill you! She's gone off the deep end. You know what, Annie; think about what you just said. You're going to talk to Popuri, and you're going to convince her to not kill you. Annie, she's already tried to cover up threatening to kill you. Think! Just think!" Elli stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind her.

I stared after her, not sure what to do. What if Elli had a point? Popuri had threatened to destroy whatever opposed her. I was beginning to even doubt myself. I guess I had lost everything.

But I had made up my mind. Elli wasn't going to stop me. Popuri must have some good left in her heart, and I was the only when who could unlock it.

An hour later, when Elli went upstairs to tend to her, whatever she did, I snuck out as Doc turned his back. Big mistake.

As predicted, Popuri was at the Goddess Pond, dangling her feet in.

"Hi Popuri." I said lamely. She looked up, glaring.

"What do you want? Finally giving up Lee?" She asked triumphantly.

"No. I wanted to talk."

"About what?" She sneered.

"We've been best buds since we were born. I remember promising we'd never let some guy get in the way of our relationship." I said, testing the water with my fingers.

"Yeah, and?" Even though she was being curt, Popuri's voice and face softened.

"Why are we letting Lee tear this lifelong friendship apart? Instead of quarreling, we should talk to Lee." I suggested.

"Yeah, maybe." Popuri turned away.

"C'mon, lets go." I stood up, and tugged on our hand. I was so glad that my plan had worked. I'd have to talk to Elli when I got back.

"No!" Popuri tugged her hand free, tears threatening to fall from her red eyes. "Don't you get it? I've liked Lee since I first laid eyes on him, as soon as he got off that ferry!"

"But Popuri, I like him too! Our friendship shouldn't involve love. Love and friendship are two different things!" I offered, hoping to convince her.

"I love him, okay Annie? I'm not backing down." Popuri cried, her tears spilling.

"Look, don't cry. We can work it out." I said, rubbing her back.

"Look, Annie, I've been friends with you for so long. You're too stubborn. I've always bent to stay out of your wrath. And now I'm standing up for myself."

"Sh-shut up!" I felt my tears fall.

"You know I'm right!" She hollered.

"Well, you aren't. Tell it to Lee, if he'll listen." I yelled.

"You can, or are you getting down with him?"

"I have morals, you pervert!" I shrieked. She snorted.

"Since when?"

"Shut up!" I slapped her, knocking her into the pond.

"You, you…" She gasped, shaking her sopping hair.

"Just die!" I turned and ran; my vision blurred from my tears.

"How about you!" I heard her distant yell. My tears spilled out more.

Popuri, my buddy, the girl I grew up with, was gone. In her place was a wannabe, the wannabe wife of Lee.

Everyone says that when you find your special someone, you'll know it. Everybody claims boys rule. In my case, no man could ever fix what Lee had begun- two desperate girls' battle for his compassion.

A/N: I changed the rating on this story. This chapter came out a little over the rating. I hope you like this. Thank you to everyone who has reviewed. I really appreciate it! At the end of this story, I'll recognize all its reviewers. Please, R&R! KLS