Part Two

Okay, I just can't wait to post the rest of the story. For now, though, all you get is part two. Enjoy!

The Girl Who Loved The Moon
Part Two

"Caroline?" It was Joanna. I had been thinking about her a lot since showed her to the office. I looked at her. Her clothes looked ragged. Her shirt looked like she had worn it too many times without a wash, and her pants were in tatters at the knees. I hadn't noticed that yesterday.

"Hey." I smiled. She smiled back.

What's up?" She asked me. It sounded like she didn't say that much, and her tongue had trouble with the words.

"Not much. Hey, I was wondering, you want to come over to my house after school?" I wanted to find out what was so different about her.

"Umm, I'm not sure......." She said hesitantly. She looked scared again.

"You want to call home and ask?" I asked her gently. She started at the word 'home,' and she looked at the floor. I wondered what was so different about her life that made her like this. "I noticed your pants were in tatters, and well, I have some pants that don't fit me. Do you want to come over and try them on?"

"Okay." She said. I wasn't sure, but I thought she only said it to make me feel better. I left the topic.

"Lets meet outside the school after the bell rings." I suggested. She nodded and continued to eat her lunch.

After school, I went outside. There she was, sitting on the floor with an armful of books. She looked up when I came over.

"Hey." She said. She sounded tired. I bent over and sat next to her.

"Its a beautiful day." I said. She nodded. I turned to look at her. "Ready to go?"

"To your home, you mean?" The word 'home' sounded odd on her lips. I wondered at it, but then let it be.

"Yes. Come on, it's only a few blocks away from here. It's right across the street from the park." I told her. I stood up and hefted my schoolbag. She just stood, holding her books. I led the way. We got there, and I unlocked the door. As we stepped inside, Joanna looked so out of place, I wondered at it. Her skin was pale as a glass of milk, and her eyes were big inside her face. She looked around quickly. I wondered what it was to make her so astonished. It was an average home, even below average. I led her to my room. "Drop your books on the bed. I'll just get the clothes." I opened my closet. Toys and books came tumbling out. Two toys landed at Joanna's feet. A toy bear and a stuffed penguin. She picked up the penguin and marveled at it. I grabbed the bear and threw it back into the mess. I took out a few pairs of jeans and a few shirts.

"Here. Try these on." I said, tossing them onto the bed. She took a soft red sweater. I had outgrown it, but it seemed like it might fit her. She pulled it over her head. It fit.

"Thank you." She said softly. She tried on the pants. All but one pair fit. I gave her all of them. Then she picked up the penguin again. She fiddled with it between her hands.

"Do you want it" I asked quietly.

"I shouldn't. You've given me so much already."

"It's nothing. Take it, and the penguin." I said. She gave a small sniff, and I realized that she was crying. I went over to the bed and pulled her onto it. I sat next to her. I put my arm around her shoulder. "What's wrong?" She kept crying. But then she turned to look at me through her tear stained eyes.

"Caroline, do you know why I am like this?" She gestured to her ragged shirt and pants.

"No." I said quietly.

"I wasn't going to tell you. I don't want to have it happen again. I don't want to loose another....." She began crying again. I held her until she stopped. Then she looked at me. "Caroline, I want to trust you. I want to be your friend. Can that happen?"

"Of course! Joanna, I am open to you. Tell me whatever." I said with full honesty.

"Okay." She said. "I will tell you my story."