Dearest Isabella

Everyone stared, but I didn't care. I just kept on laughing. Eventually, however, Isabella began giggling a little, as did Gharret and Leigh. Then, in the midst of my giggle-fit, Isabella began cackling. What started out as the cutest little titter exploded into full-blown, whooping, choking laughter.

She fell back on her butt around the same time I did, which snapped Gharret out of his chuckles.

"You are, quite possibly…THE most ADORABLE person in all of existence," I wheezed, once my laughter had died as I wiped tears from my eyes. Though Gharret hovered, I was content just sitting on my butt in the grass beside the fence. Isabella was worth it, I'd decided.

She grinned widely in return and I caught a glimpse of some cute buck teeth – incisors that were just a little bigger and longer than the rest of them. The dark spot on the bottom of her nose, outlining her nostrils, also gave her this cuter-than-cute bunny-rabbit look.

"Why thank you! That's the absolute nicest thing ANYONE IN THE WORLD has ever said to me!" she squeaked, blushing and pushing her hands into her cheeks as she sat up a little straighter.

"Well, you better get used to it…because I only tell the truth. And I'm a bit of a loudmouth. You can ask Gharret." I jerked my thumb at him and he sighed before straightening.

He was mocked for his coloration as well. I guess spots, albinism, and even partial albinism were rather frowned upon as 'genetic mistakes' in this world and thus labeled 'ugly'. Oh well, screw whoever decided that! Weird people are great.

She gasped and pointed at him before using her other hand to cup her mouth in his direction to whisper loudly at me. So animated…

"You're on a first-name basis with THE CHIEF?! Oh my GOSH! That's, like…SUPER special!!!" Isabella then slapped her hands over her mouth in near-horror. I could only grin.

"I call people by their names…unless they earn a nickname. I think I'll call you 'Izzy'. Is that okay?"

She squealed loudly and began pumping her arms in the air and laughing.

"Does this make us friends?!" she demanded after she froze. It seemed the thought only just now occurred to her, so I laughed in response.

"I would be proud to call you my friend, Izzy," I said. I was being totally honest, too. A bright ray of sunshine like her would be perfect to yank my dark butt out of the dark places my brain liked to wander. That and it seemed as though she needed a friend. I had a friend like her once upon a time back home, but she wasn't anywhere near like this publicly. In private, talking about something she loved, my friend used to get just like this. It was always so beautiful to see her true self come forward, even if it was just for a few seconds.

Izzy was a pure, beautiful soul that I genuinely wanted to get to know better.

I waited until she finished her spaz session before I got back to my feet. She followed suit shortly thereafter and we smiled and chuckled at each other like girls do when they share a secret. Except this time, it was just a genuine exchange of happiness.

"Do you mind if I ask you something, Izzy?" I queried after dusting myself off. Gharret seemed content to hang back and cross his arms and look disinterested, but with one ear swiveled in our direction, he was clearly listening. He, at some point, had socked Leigh in the head as the boy was now sporting a massive goose-egg, but wasn't attempting to run off, anymore.

"You can ask me ANYTHING, friend!" she responded, throwing her arms out in the air as far as they'd reach, fingers spread wide before she planted her hands on her hips. Ugh, she was too cute.

"What's a female doing out in the sun working the fields?" I was genuinely curious since she seemed to be the only female I'd seen doing any farm work. Or…any work at all, I should say.

"Oh, that's easy! Since It's HIIIGGHHLLYYY unlikely I'll ever be accepted by a male, I figured I'd just make use of my time by honing my bunny instincts for planty mothering! You can call me your local, bonafide plant-whisperer!" She did a little showing of jazz hands and I heard a 'ta-da' noise go off in the back of my head before she planted (lol) her hands on her hips and stuck her chest out proudly.

For the first time since meeting her, I suddenly felt a little sad. She'd already given up on finding a male, even when there were whole row-houses and cabins brimming with unmated males. I frowned and she blinked in surprise.

"No! No, no, no! Don't be sad! I'm not sad, see? I'm…I'm happy!" Izzy had flailed a little, then pouted. I could honestly say that I hated seeing that expression on her face. I also noted her hesitation.

"I think the word you're looking for is 'content'…"

For once, she didn't respond, but I smiled gently at her and reached out my hand, across the fence, and snatched her palm. I formed her hand, folding most of her fingers and connecting our pinkies. I held it up so she could see how meaningful it was. She stiffened, sensing the impending importance.

"I pinkie-swear that I'll help you as much as I can. Okay?" She smiled widely, tears welling in her eyes.

"I pinkie-swear…," she echoed, then paused to think for a moment, before grinning as though a lightbulb had been lit above her head. "I pinkie-swear to be of much use as the plant-whisperer! Oh, and be your bestie!" I giggled.

"Besties for Resties." She gasped and I giggled even more.

"Besties for Resties!!!" she echoed with a squeal.

Not a single part of me felt guilty for this interaction. In a small way, I think it may seem like I'm manipulating the poor girl, and in some small way, I am… But I like her, truly. It felt like I'd already known her all my life, like how little kids in kindergarten can suddenly become best friends overnight, though they'd only just met. There was a freedom in that which I hadn't felt in a very long time.