Harlem & Sydney

Sydney had always been the shy one. The one that hid in the corner when someone laughed at her, the one who cried whenever she was tortured. Sydney was not loved, by her parents nor her classmates. The only person she had that she called a "friend" was Heather. Heather was two years older than Sydney, and went to a completely different school.1

By the time Sydney was sixteen, she knew something was awfully wrong. She had thoughs of suicide, thoughts of killing her own mother, thoughts of death. She never shared these with anyone, not even Heather, in fear of freaking her out and losing her only friend. At night, Sydney weeped, trying to cry herself to sleep and calm down. But, nothing worked.2

One day after school, Sydney came home, set her bright pink backpack down on the kitchen table and rushed over to the sink. Her arm was heavily bleeding, gushing out over her jeans and staining her flowered shirt. She grabbed a washrag and wet it with cool water. She patted it over the wound, wincing in pain. She knew it would leave a scar and she might need stiches. Sydney had been hurt by the school bully, Jackie Rose. Jackie had took a metal baseball bat and struck Sydney's arm during lunch break.3

Even though Sydney was used to these kinds of occurances, she didn't necessarily like them.4

Jackie had been causing her trouble ever since the first grade, when she put glue on Sydney's school chair. It took the nurse, a custodian and three teachers to pull Sydney's bum from the seat.5

Sydney sighed. She was scared of Jackie, dead frightened actually, but was never brave enough to face her. Besides, Jackie WAS 200 pounds solid, and very tall for a girl. She could beat anyone up, as she had in many previous years. After Sydney's wound stopped bleeding, the phone rang. Sydney answered it slowly.6

" Hello?"7

" Hey, Sydney, wanna come over?" It was Heather's voice.8

" Hey, Heather, uh, sure, I'll be over in ten minutes." 9

Then, there was a click, signaling Heather had hung up and Sydney raced to the upstairs bathroom. She opened the cabinet above the sink and grabbed some gauze tape and a bandage to cover her wound. The last thing she needed was Heather worrying about her. She wrapped it slowly and carefully, careful not to damage the broken skin any more.10

Then, she grabbed a clean pair of jeans. She then chose a clean long-sleeved shirt. She tried to cover the bandaged wound with the shirt sleeve as best as she could, so it was not noticeable.11

Sydney raced out of her front door, and ran three blocks all the way to Heather's house. She had always liked Heather's house. It was very large, with beautiful stained-glass windows and creaky old wooden doors. Sydney stepped up to the groaning old front porch and knocked on the front door. Heather answered it and they hugged each other. Heather gasped, as she was holding Sydney's arm, she felt the material of the bandage.12

" What happened?" 13

" Nothing, just nothing."14

" Please tell me, Sydney, it's okay."15

" Alright, fine, the school bully hit me with a stupid bat, okay? NO big deal."16

" Oh, yes it IS a big deal, tell your school principal."17

Sydney rolled her eyes and said," Heather, just forget it, telling on people is so elementary school."18

Heather grabbed Sydney's shoulder and patted it. " Sydeney, you're never too old to tell. You could get really hurt one day and with me going off to college next year, you won't have me to protect you any longer, so please, just tell. It's the right thing to do."19

Sydney sighed and said, " Alright, if it makes you feel better."20

( THE FOLLOWING DAY AT SCHOOL)21

Sydney was sitting on the wooden bench, right outside the principal's office. She had her hands folded in her lap, nervous as ever. What in the world was she going to tell the principal? She twisted her hair nervously, in deep thought. There was only one other person on the bench with her, waiting. It was a boy who looked about her own age, with long blondish hair and baby blue eyes. 22

He stared at Sydney intently. Sydney looked over at him.23

" What are you looking at?"24

The boy shook his head and said, " Nothing, just.. uh.. what are you in here for?"25

" School bully beat me up, I'm telling."26

The boy laughed. " Going to the principal for bully problems?"27

" Yeah, I know, stupid, my friend made me. What are you in here for?"28

" I started a food fight in the cafeteria, it's a long story."29

Sydney nodded and held out her hand and the boy shook it. " I'm Sydney."30

" I'm Harlem, nice to meet you." 31

They looked at one another in the eyes for one split second. They both felt weird, like there was nothing else in the entire world that mattered. Then, there was the principal's voice. 32

" I need to see Sydney Ross!"33

Sydney quickly snapped out of her daze and said, " That's me."34

Harlem grinned and his face turned bright red.35

Sydney stepped into the prinicpal's office, it was decorated with pictures of cats and old ladies. The principal, Mr. Thomas said, " Do sit down, Sydney."36

Sydney took a seat in one of the leather chairs in front of his desk. 37

" So, Sydney, I understand you're going through some bully difficulites."38

" Yes, Mr. Thomas, she beat me with a baseball bat."39

" Yes, I know, Sydney, I've brought Jackie in to talk with you about it."40

" Oh." Sydney said. Why did she have to talk to Jackie? They had always been enemies, it's not like that would change now.41

Sure enough, the door opened a few moments later and in walked Jackie Rose. She was wearing the only shirt Sydney had ever seen her wear, a basketball jersey with the number 45 on the front, and dirty jeans that had seen better days.42

She balled her hands up into fists and said through gritted teeth, " Why'd you send me down here with this shrimp?" She pointed to Sydney, scowling at her. 43

Mr. Thomas explained, " Jackie, we need to talk this out. Sit down, please." When Jackie was about to argue further, Mr. Thomas gave her a look that told her otherwise, and she quietly took a seat in the one next to Sydney's.44

Sydney turned to her and said, " Jackie, you've got to stop hitting me. You nearly broke my lower arm." Sydney pointed to her bandaged arm, giving Jackie an innocent look. 45

" Well, you little twirp, I might not bother you anymore if you promise to agree with something."46

" Well, that depends, what do I have to agree to?"47

" You have to come with me. Let me show you something."48

Mr. Thomas encouraged, " Do hurry up girls and settle this."49

" We're almost done, I promise." Sydney promised. " Go on, Jackie, what do I have to agree to?"50


AT LUNCH51

" Jackie Rose is crazy, ignore her if she's been your worst enemy for years." Harlem said as he took a bite out of his cheese sandwich.52

Sydney shook her head and said, " I'm not so sure, what if she's really telling the truth? I mean, what if there is another dimension somewhere she wants to take me?"53

Harlem gave her a puzzled look and asked, " You're really going to believe that she's going to take you to a faraway land? Come on, use your brain. It's a trick to get you to go out back to the dumpster to get thrown in with the smelly banana peels."54

" Harlem, I mean, you should've seen the look on her face. She looked dead serious."55

Harlem shook his head. " Whatever, just don't get yourself beaten up." He finished his cheese sandwich and asked, " When are you supposed to meet her?"56

" After school." Sydney sighed and laid her head down on the lunch table. She was supposed to get in the lunch line to buy her food, but she wasn't hungry at all. With that, Sydney got up and said, " Harlem, I'll catch you later, okay?" Harlem nodded and waved goodbye.57


AFTER SCHOOL58

Sydney slung her backpack over her shoulder with one strap and hurried out of her last class. She had to find out if Jackie was indeed telling the truth. Jackie had said to meet her behind the school, near the football fields. Sydney raced outside, all the way to the larger field.59

When she got there, Jackie was nowhere to be found. 60

But, Harlem was in near sight.61

" Harlem, what are you doing here?" Sydney raged.62

" I'm here to make sure you don't get you ass beaten by Jackie, of course." Harlem explained.63

" Someone say my name?" a voice said behind them.64

It was Jackie Rose, a very agitated look upon her face, her teeth gritted, her hands balled up into fists. 65

" So, which one of you little twirps wants it first?" She balled up her fists even tighter, saliva dripping from her chin, snarling.66

" We don't want you, Jackie, just leave us alone!" Harlem shouted in rage. " Leave both of us alone, so, that means Sydney too." Harlem was furious, his arms crossed, his eyes full of anger.67

" Awww, I see, you little twirps like each other, huh?" 68

Harlem and Sydney eyed one another and quickly shook their heads. " No, Jackie, we're just friends defending one another, I guess you've never heard of that!" Sydney raged.69

Wow, Sydney thought. She had called Harlem a friend, she had never dreamed of calling anyone that except Heather. Jackie stepped closer to each of them, an awful look on her face, ready to punch.70

Harlem stopped her and put his hands in front of Sydney's face. 71

" Don't you hurt her." Harlem warned.72

Jackie swung her punch at Harlem's hand and banged his wrist. Harlem winced in pain as his hand swelled up and turned a deep purple color. Nevertheless, he kept his hand in front of Sydney's face.73

Jackie raised her eyebrow. " Afraid?" she questioned.74

Sydney shook her head. " We're never gonna be afraid of you!"75

Without warning, Jackie swung another punch, this time at Harlem's face. It nearly broke his nose and Harlem collapsed to the ground.76


AT THE HOSPITAL LATER THAT NIGHT77


Harlem was wrapped up in smelly hospital sheets, shivering cold. His nose was wrapped in gauze and the room smelled of disinfectant and cafetiria food. Sydney sat nearby, her hands folded in her lap. Harlem opened his eyes slowly. His eyes widened when he saw Sydney.78

" Are you alright, where's Jackie?" he asked quickly.79

Sydney had tears streaming down her face. " Jackie got suspended, Harlem. The principal found us outside not long after you passed out. I was worried sick about you and your nose, it's broken in three places."80

Harlem shook his head and said, " I don't care, just as long as you are okay."81

They smiled at one another and Sydney came over to the bed, placing her hand on Harlem's forehead. " You were very brave for defending me like that today, and I thank you."82


Harlem grinned and said, " No problem, you're worth defending."83

Sydney's heart beat very quickly and she leaned in and kissed Harlem. His lips were very smooth and soft and touched her own mouth ever so gently. 84

After the kiss, Harlem admitted very shyly, " I love you so very much, Sydney."85

" I do too Harlem, now I can say I truly do have a best friend."