Generation 8 - Chapter 15

Having Fatima in the same school was one of the best things ever. Cherish had never felt so close to her BFF. They may not be in any of the same classes but that didn't stop them from spending all their free time together. Between Cherish's new found inner peace and her association with Fatima's blazing popularity, this was the best school year yet!

They talked about boys Fatima thought were cute, teachers Cherish knew how to charm, their futures after graduation, and everything in between. Cherish felt lighter than she ever had in her life.

"Hey Cher! Cher!" Fatima called from their shared bathroom. "Wanna go to the park with me? Dustin is going to be there I heard."
"Is he the one you said asked you out? Wait, which one is he? I've lost track of all your boyfriends."
"Funny you are not! They're not all my boyfriends...some are just....friends....that I kiss...." Then Fatima broke into a giggle fit.

Cherish rolled her eyes.  Boys were always chasing after Fatima. It was rare that there was a boy Fatima wanted to chase back. At least Fatima never tried getting Cherish to go out with any of them. Fatima may be a couple of years younger but that didn't stop the boys in Cherish's class from asking her out. Occasional one of them would actually ask Cherish out instead. It always came as a shock and she always answered with a strong "No" without thinking. These were the people that went out of their way to harass her as a child. Why on Earth would she want to be friends with them? Much less date one. No. Just no.

So it was off to the park they went. Fatima all primped and doe eyed. Cherish on the look out for a dragon egg. She'd heard you could find an egg there on occasion and REALLY wanted to find one. A green dragon was said to be magical for gardens. Not that she didn't have enough magic herself, it would just be nice having some help. And a companion that liked dirt. Fatima was not one to get dirty unless it involved her horse.

"Cherish. Don't tell anyone this, but I think Dustin is THE ONE...if you know what I mean..."
Cherish was shocked! She knew exactly what Fatima meant. Boys and what you're supposed to do with them when you're alone had been a major topic of conversation for her recently.
"Fatima!" Cher hissed "Messing around like that with boys will only get you in trouble. Look at Lucy! She's pregnant! Do you want to be like her??"

But right then, there were daggers coming from Fatima's eyes. Cherish looked around and guessed that Dustin was the one trying to take up the same space as the blue haired girl across the fountain from them.
Not good.

Fatima was across the park pulling the two of them apart before Cherish could blink. Fatima wasn't a bully or a fighter but she wasn't one to stand back and let people walk all over her either.

"Look Fatima, You just don't do it for me ok? I like my girls a little more...." He trailed off looking the other girl up and down like a giant lollipop he'd like to lick. What was worse is she seemed to like being looked at that way.

"Look, I don't whats going on between you two but he's here with me and I don't share." The blue hair girl told Fatima.

"Fatima, you're just a little girl. This is Emma, she's far more experienced than you and we're totally serious. You should have your freak show of a sister just take you home." 

Cherish saw red. It didn't matter what people said to or about her, but no one messed with her family. She was in Dustin's face giving him a piece of her mind before she even realized what she was doing. No one was going to talk to Fatima like that and get away with it.

"...and if you ever talk to her like that again, I will break your legs. If you start trouble for her, I will break your legs. If you so much as look at her in a way i don't like, I will BREAK YOUR LEGS!"

"Whhaa ..b-b-but..y-y-uou you!"

"Shut your mouth! Just shut it. We are walking away now and you better consider yourself lucky that this 'freak show' is letting you off with a warning. Fatima knows how to kill with her thumb!"

"So you better watch yourself!"

Cherish grabbed a speechless Fatima and didn't say a word until they were standing in their own front yard. Cherish had never in her life talked to someone like that before. Where was that side of her when she was at the receiving end of things? She warred inside herself. Part of her was proud for finally standing up to a bully. Part of her was ashamed that she'd lost control of herself like that. She didn't even knew she had that in her!

"Kill with my thumb??! HAHAHAHAHA!"

Fatima was dancing around in the yard with glee. 

"Did you see his face? Ohmygoshohmygosh! I am going to die laughing!"

"Well...." Cherish said "People shouldn't treat other people that wa-"

Fatima had grabbed her up in a huge hug.

"You're the best Cherish!"

"Uh. Thanks. Lets not tell GG."