Not a Perfect World

In transitions class at Flagstaff High, in Flagstaff, Arizona, there sat a room full of rowdy freshmen. Four of the students were just talking about how they felt about the new school year.1

Nick was the first to speak. With an uneasy tone, he broke the silence. “So, how was summer for you all? “ He ran his hand smoothly through his short hair. Maribel stared out the window in a daze, tears threatening to spill over and out onto her cheek. 2

Anita nudged at Maribels arm. She shook her head as Anita helped hide Maribels pain filled eyes. Eric snorted, shook his head and crossed his arms over his chest. Anita scowled at Eric as she and Nick proceeded to comfort Maribel. Just then, the door opened. A silence crossed the room as Jason scurried into the classroom, the teacher glaring at him, annoyed with is tardiness. He smiled sheepishly and then glanced over to Maribel. His smile disappeared as soon as he noticed Anita wiping at tear stained cheeks. 3

“Why so late?” Eric said jokingly to Jason. Jason didn’t even notice. “JASON. Earth to Jason. HELLO.” He waved his hand around in front of Jasons face. 4

“Huh? Oh. Uh, locker was stuck.” Jason finally replied. Normally he was good at paying attention, but not lately. Lately he had been thinking about Maribel a lot. 5

“Figures.” Eric said bluntly.6

“What’s wrong with Maribel today, Eric?”7

“I don’t know. And I don’t care. She keeps bringing up all these old promises.”8

“Like what?” Jason blinked.9

“Well,” Eric continued, ignoring Maribels sniffles. “like how I promised to take her to the first dance of freshman year and stuff.”10

“But you’re not together…” Jason trailed off as he watched Maribel. 11

Anita had finally been able to get her to smile. She was so pretty in his eyes. He often wondered how Eric could have hurt her like that. The bell soon rang and the group said their goodbyes for the time being. School finally ended and the group met in the parking lot.12

“Maribel!” Anita called. “Want a ride home?”13

“No, I’ll walk, thanks. See you tomorrow!”14

“Nick? Jason? How about you, Eric?”15

Two of the three responded and hopped into the car. Jason and Maribel waved to Anitas mom and their friends.16

“So why didn’t you take the ride, Jason?” Maribel asked as they strolled down the sidewalk. 17

“I wanted to talk to you…About Eric.” A look of pain crossed the young girls face as he said this. “Don’t worry, Maribel. I won’t tell him anything. You can trust me.”18

Maribel nodded and began to pour her heart out to her friend. By the end of the walk, Maribel had cried three times. Jason comforted her and listened carefully to every word. They stood on the doorstep, hugging. 19

Eric walked quietly around the corner, coming to scare the two, just for a few laughs. He stopped dead in his tracks, glaring as his blood began to boil.20

Maribel yelped and pushed Jason away, wiping her lips.21

“Jason! I just told you how I feel about Eric, and you kissed me!”22

“I just…I’m sorry..I just want-“ He was cut off.23

“You better get out of here, Jason. We were best friends. What do you think you’re doing?” Eric screamed in anger and hate. Maribel ran into her house crying.24

“But you lied to her so many times, Eric!”25

“And that has nothing to do with you. I hate you. You’ve gone and done that, just to make me mad.”26

“No, I didn’t! It just felt right! I wasn’t trying to hurt you, Eric. You’re my best friend, man! Can’t we work this out or something? No! I don’t want to fight you!” Eric was pulling his sleeves up.27

“Stop it, you two.” Anita and Nick walked between them.28

“Maribel called us.”29

“Nick, don’t you think she should have to choose between us?” Eric asked, even though his mind was set on the answer already.30

“Let her do what she wants.” Maribel walked out as Nick finished his command. Her eyes were puffy.31

“I don’t want either of you. Why can’t we just stop this aruging? Eric, you broke up with me. Stop trying to cling on and hide me from other guys. You broke my heart, I’m done with you. And Jason, he’s your best friend. You know you shouldn’t be doing this. I’m done with you too.” With that, she turned and walked away, Anita following quickly.32

“I can’t believe you two.” Nick shook his head in disappointment. He walked inside, closing the open door to Maribels house.33

“Man we really messed this up, Eric. I don’t want to lose our friends.” Jason said, on the verge of tears.34

“I guess we just need to let her go. Neither of us can have her now. Hey, I have an idea.”35

Both of them got up and headed for a store, gathering all the money they had. An hour or so later, there was a knock at Maribels door. When she opened it, she found two silly looking freshman. One had a balloon, and the other a teddy bear.36

“We’re sorry, Maribel. We want to make it up to you, to be friends.” Eric nodded, agreeing with what Jason had said.37

All three of them hugged, hoping the others had each learned their lesson. Nick and Anita joined the group hug, laughing as the hug got squishy and tough to fit into.38

“I love you guys. You’re my best friends ever.” Maribel said. And to her, they were. Many more problems cam, and all together the friends fought it off. They stayed strong, for each other. Eric was still a liar sometimes. And Jason still had a crush on Maribel. But they never spoke of it. They were all best friends, and nothing could change that. 39