THEME: #18 ~ Stupid
"It wasn't your fault, Ramona."
The voice is muffled. Another sob worms its way out of her throat, and she pulls the pillow tighter over her head.
Beezus' hand lifts from her back. "I'll keep Roberta out of your way, okay?" she says.
A few moments' pause, and then the door shuts. Slowly, Ramona lets go of the pillow.
Nobody stops her when she shrugs on a sweater and steps outside; she's all too eager to avoid the worried gazes at home. She keeps her head low, hiding her red-rimmed eyes and watching her shaky breath fog the air.
The park is deserted and she sits for a long time, holding back tears. It's working when she hears the sound of leaves crunching nearby. She stiffens instinctively at the familiar shoes.
"I heard," Howie says, hunched into his coat. "About you and…"
Ramona wants to scream. "About me and Danny," she finishes instead, her voice steady. "Everyone probably knows."
She is both grateful and satisfied that he doesn't know how to respond. "I don't know about that," Howie murmurs eventually. "It… wasn't your fault."
Ramona looks up then, furious, and Howie's face twists into an expression she can't read. She is vaguely aware of the tears wetting her face.
"How do you know?" she shrieks. "He p-promised! He s-said he wasn't… c-cheat- and I b-believed him, and… How c-could I be so stupid, what's wrong with me-"
"Nothing," Howie snaps, lightning and thunder crackling in his tone. A stray hiccup rustles in Ramona's throat. His face is strained. "Danny's just... the stupidest person in the world. I punched him after school."
She stares at him and he flushes.
"He deserves it for making you cry."
She draws a hand under her nose, suddenly lightheaded. "…And you didn't get beat up?"
I figured Beverly Cleary intended for Danny (Yard Ape, for those of you who don't remember) and Ramona to get together at some point in the future, but I don't really approve. so this happened XD;;
this collection is starting to wind down, so stay with me and send something encouraging? :D