DISCLAIMER: This licence isn't mine. The opinions express by the characters are not mine. I do not support nor encourage the illegal acts or words present here. I can make a distinction between fiction and reality and I trust in my readership's ability to do the same.
Chapter fifteen: Support and courage
Peanut Butter was really a good fellow, according to Strawberry Shortcake. He ran some guestrooms in the center of Big Apple City. He used to patiently listen to Strawberry's complaints, without interrupting her, showing her he was bored or minimizing her pains. When he saw Strawberry was feeling bad, he knew how make her laugh. He asked her questions about Strawberryland and never scorn at her because she was a country dweller, lost in such big city. He himself answered Strawberry's questions. But the thing Strawberry Shortcake really preferred with him was his maturity and his sense for responsibilities, which were much developed than Huckleberry Pie's ones!
Oddly, Strawberry Shortcake was almost enjoying the time she spent with Peanut Butter more than the time she spent with her friends, Lemon Meringue and Raspberry Torte. One day, when she came back to the store after one of her walks, she glimpsed at Raspberry helping Blueberry Muffin to try a dress on, and complaining about the lack of time they had before the show.
-It doesn't really matter anyway, Blueberry said to reassure her friend. "If you're not finish on time, you could delay the show and we could visit you again later".
-It's easy for you to say that, Raspberry retorted. "You're not overwhelmed with work in Strawberryland, are you? And if I don't finish this dress right now, it will never fit you anymore-and I don't need to explain you why."
Strawberry Shortcake, this time, didn't reveal herself, but, at night, she gathered the girls and asked them what they thought about Lemon's and Raspberry's behavior. Their remarks were of one mind: The two young girls had changed, and not in a positive way!
-They are just odious!
-They told me I wasn't thin enough to be a good model.
-They never listened to our opinions, they are terribly selfish!
-I noticed they started to look down on us.
-They must think we're not cast in the same mold.
-Maybe, one day, they would totally disown our old friendship because we're not "glamorous" enough for them.
Some of them, outraged, even talked about leaving them right now; but Strawberry, true to herself, managed to convince them it would be terribly disrespectful for Lemon and Raspberry. They promised to help her; they must keep their promise. Whether they liked it or not, they decided to follow Strawberry's advices, but the one who were the most unwilling was Blueberry Muffin. She thought, rightly, that Raspberry hadn't the right to gratuitously judge her choices, her way of life, and her physical appearance!
But, by keeping the peace between the guests and the hosts and her walks with Peanut Butter, Strawberry Shortcake has almost forgotten her own promise to Lem and Ada! In fact, now she had no doubts left about Lemon's and Raspberry's change, she now feared the time of facing them to expose them the twins' point of view.
-I don't really like these girls, Peanut Butter said when Strawberry told him her problem.
-I swear they were both nice before. But their eager for stardom has totally changed them. They turned into superficial and vain pests.
-If it's true, you don't have to be afraid of facing them: if all they say is "vain and superficial", you don't have to pay attention to their reproach. Did you realize you were scared by your own friends? Do you believe they still consider you as their friend?
-To be honest… I don't know.
-If they turn away from you because of your differences, it means they weren't true friends. In some way, telling them the truth could be a good experience to see how changed they are. If they take your remarks into account, you can consider they are saved.
-And if they don't?
-It would mean they don't deserve you, Strawberry. You're a great person, and it hurt me to see you worrying yourself sick for people that don't worth it.
Strawberry Shortcake nodded.
-Well, be a little bit selfish, Strawberry! Don't be afraid of hurting people who have no scruples for hurting you!
Hurting Lemon and Raspberry? Strawberry Shortcake didn't want it at all! But she has understood what Peanut Butter meant. This time, she couldn't preserve Lemon's new sensitivity.
-Peanut, I'd like you to be with me.
-I can't keep your promise for you, Strawberry. But I promise to be present at the show.
On the very day, Strawberry Shortcake achieved her assignment. She saw Lemon, one-on-one, and unhesitatingly told her that she really had to change her behavior toward Ada, that she was her little sister and that she had to respect her, that Ada had good ideas, too, and that it was awful from her to always disdain her and humiliate her, just in front of her brother. She added that everyone notice her metamorphosis, including Lem, and that they were praying for the old Lemon's back. She explained her that, as long as she would be scornful and disrespectful, people wouldn't like to work with her.
-Orange Blossom and the others, too, are upset, Strawberry kindly said. "I perfectly understand how this show is important for you, but it's not a reason to patronize us because when still live in the country. Please, Lemon, make sure that everyone has a nice holidays, including Lem and Ada, and don't turn this show into a chore."
Lemon Meringue silently listened to Strawberry Shortcake.
-Well… Thank you Strawberry. I understand… I didn't notice… I will… You're right. I think we were, Raspberry and me, the worst hosts ever (Strawberry smiled). "I'll talk to Raspberry Torte."
Lemon Meringue kept her word. They both apologized to the girls, and, thank to this reverse, they all had a lot of fun while preparing the show.
Well, now that you know what happened to Strawberry and her friends in Big Apple City, let's see how Apple Dumplin's holidays looked like!
She persuaded herself she was the most unhappy teenage in the world, and, under that pretext, she was simply odious with Plum Puddin' and TN Honey, who hosted her. Well, the other pretext was Plum Puddin' confiscated her mobile phone because she sent texts all day long instead of seriously trying to take benefit of the lessons she was given. TN Honey tried to understand why she hated school so much. Was she bullied by elder students? Did one of her teacher take a dislike to her? Was she bored at school because she didn't understand the usefulness of what she had to learn? But, as the only answer she could reap was "Get off my back!" she conclude that Apple was simply ill-educated and lazy. However, the young couple started to regret their decision, because Apple made them having, too, horrible holidays! (Imagine the situation: you are stuck for two week with a teenage who never smiles, you never use the "magic words", and who hardly pay attention to the private lesson you give her during your free time you selflessly sacrifice while you could do other things that you really enjoy.) At least, noticed TN Honey, every couple who were thinking about having a baby should host for at least three days a grumpy young person like Apple Dumplin' to make sure they were really ready to face "it". But, by dint of getting bored without her phone and Mulberry Murmur, Apple finally listen to Plum Puddin' and TN Honey and made unexpected progress.
When Strawberry's holidays were over, she exchanged her address with Peanut Butter's one.
-You visited my city, he told her, "Now it's my turn to visit your village. Strawberryland seemed to be so beautiful!"
-It is, Strawberry Shortcake mysteriously answered. "I can't wait to show you my Café!"
-You'll send our regards to the Princess Berrykin and her daughter, won't you? Raspberry asked. "By the way, how are the babies?"
-They are berry well. They are almost too big for the little cradle you gave them."
-Have a good trip! Lemon cried. "We'll remember what you said!"
-I can't doubt of it, Strawberry answered.
However, she wondered if Lemon Meringue and Raspberry Torte would keep their revolution-and if Plum Puddin' and TN Honey had went berserk because of Apple Dumplin'.
To be continued…