(Charlotte, My Dear Friend)
*May 16th, 1941*
*2:55 pm*
*Day of the Festival*
*Jackson Private Academy*
Charlotte and Mary were walking around the track and field area in which was filled with many people preparing themselves for the upcoming three legged race.
"It seems like everyone is preparing themselves for the race but do you think we should join them?" Mary had asked her friends while she continued to look at everyone partnering up while chatting amongst themselves as she waited for her answer.
"If you want, I never participated in those type of events before so It should be quite swell but we do have to act quick before the race starts" Charlotte had spoken back to her friend as Mary nodded her head in agreement as the two girls walked over to where the Coach was currently at.
"Excuse me, We would like to participate in the three legged race please if you still have any rope left" Charlotte had asked the gentlemen as her words were met with the young man nodding his head in confirmation.
"I sure do but It seems like there's quite a height difference but I could make something work out, how does that sound?" The Coach explained to the two girls as they nodded their heads in understandment.
"I don't mind, I am somewhat taller than Mary so we do have to work our way around but as long as my friend is happy than It's all swell to me" Charlotte had spoken back to the gentleman as she let out a smile which made the Coach smile back.
"Nice, If you want things to work than you must hunch over to Mary's height and I'll tie the rope over yall non-dominant legs, is that okay with everyone?" The Coach had explained to the two girls once more as Charlotte and Mary nodded their heads in full agreement while the Coach began to tie the rope around their non-dominant legs.
"Are you having a good time today? I know it's been a long day and whatnot but I wanna know how you are feeling" Charlotte had asked Mary in a reassuring tone of voice as her words were met with Mary nodding her head in confirmation.
"Yeah, I am. I'm glad that I was able to meet and befriend everyone today so It makes me grateful to experience things that I never had a chance to experience…" Mary had answered back with a smile on her face which made Charlotte smile back as she spoke once more.
"I'm glad to hear that, It's always good to experience new things if you're comfortable with it but just know that I'm always here for you, okay?" Charlotte had assured Mary as her words were met with Mary smiling back while giving a thumbs up as the girls suddenly heard the Coach beginning to speak.
"Alright, I'm finished tying the rope so please carefully make your way to the starting line since the race starts in less than five minutes…" The Coach had advised the girls as he had seen Charlotte and Mary slowly but carefully made their way to the starting line.
"Charlotte, I never met someone like her. She's always checking on me to see if I'm doing well. I truly don't deserve a good friend like her…" Mary had thought to herself as she suddenly remembered their first encounter in which she scammed her by being a fake girl scout which prompted her to speak to her friend.
"Hey, I don't think I ever told you this but I'm sorry for pretending to be a girl scout and whatnot, I just needed the money to support myself, Mrs Harrison, and the other orphans at my place…" Mary had spoken to Charlotte as she expected her friend to be angry however she felt Charlotte's warm hand giving her comfort instead much to her surprise.
"Please don't worry about it, You did what you had to survive but all that truly matters is that you provided care for your loved ones in spite of everything…" Charlotte had spoken to Mary in an ensuring tone of voice as this brought a sense of peace and comfort to Mary as she smiled back.
"Thank you…" Mary had simply responded back as she and Charlotte were ready to begin the three-legged race.
*Flashback*
*March 23rd, 1937*
*I don't remember much about my parents but all I can remember was hearing the news that they died in a car crash. I know, It's typical right? But I guess I was the unlucky kid that had to deal with that… *
"Mrs Harrison, It's Mr Stewart. I would like to place this child under your care. She's a bit troublesome but she just has been through alot…" Mr Stewart had asked Mrs Harrison while he presented a young Mary to her as the young woman began to speak.
"I don't know, We're in a great depression plus I have many kids to take care of so It's just gonna be more weight on my back…" Mrs Harrison had spoken back in a stressed tone of voice as this caused a young Mary to look visibly sad which was noticed by Mr Stewart as he looked back at her.
"Please, Mary doesn't have anywhere else to go, She's been lonely ever since her parents died in that car crash and she was lucky enough to survive it as well and also, This is the only place that she'll have…" Mr Stewart had pleaded with Mrs Harrison as he waited for a response with much eagerness.
*Mrs Harrison would eventually give in to the man's pleading and My experience as an orphan wasn't good. There were days and nights that I and the other orphans went to bed hungry. Talk about living in Hell, but things did improve two years ago when Mr Stewart donated charity to our orphanage in which made me feel blessed but my main point is that I just feel so blessed in meeting Charlotte since she's always made me feel so welcome…*
*End of Flashback*
Mary had just got done thinking about her past as she had a tear flowing down her face in which was quickly noticed by Charlotte.
"Friend, Is anything okay? If you want to bail out and talk about it than I'm completely okay with that" Charlotte had asked her friend as she was met with Mary nodding her head to confirm that she was indeed okay.
"I'm okay, just thinking about some things but I also wanted to say that I truly appreciate you like you've made a positive change in my life and I couldn't be more grateful.." Mary had spoken back to Charlotte as her words made her smile warmly.
"I'm so glad to hear that! My friend's happiness is my happiness so It just warms my heart hearing this.." Charlotte had spoken back to her friend while Mary smiled and gave her a thumbs up.
"Let's win this race, shall we?" Mary simply uttered back while Charlotte simply smiled and nodded her head in agreement as they heard a voice yelling out.
"On your marks, Get set, GO!" The voice cried out as they had blown the horn to indicate that everyone was finally free to race as Charlotte and Mary used their good teamwork to pass everyone as they were heading towards the goal.
"We're doing wonderful so far! We just gotta keep pushing forward!" Charlotte had cried out in joy as she and Mary Were almost towards the goal with little to no challenge from the other players.
"As long as people like Charlotte is on my side than I'll never be alone! I may had my hardships but today has shown me that I have such wonderful people such as Charlotte in my life" Mary had thought to herself as she let out a huge smile on her face as she and Charlotte had officially made it across the finish line as many cheer erupted.
"W-We did it! We've finished in first place!" Charlotte had cried out to Mary in joy as the girls were filled with joy.
"I would not have done it without you, You gave me the motivation to push forward so thank you once again…" Mary had spoken back to Charlotte as she saw her undoing the rope that was between their non-dominant legs as she eventually untied it.
"Of course, but you always had that motivation within you all along and I was glad to bring that out…" Charlotte had spoken back to Mary as the pair shared a warm hug together before releasing each other from the hug.
"Say, Do you wanna catch up to Anya and the others? I know they're expecting us or something" Mary had asked Charlotte as her question was met with a nod of yes from her friend.
"Sure, Let's quickly catch up to them!" Charlotte had spoken back while she and Mary proceeded to walk away from the track and field while Mary grew as a stronger person who is determined to not allow her past to get ahold of her.