Love... no, FRIENDSHIP is blind too

"She's going to be so upset. Why can't I find it? I know it was here somewhere," I groaned, searching for the paint I had promised Valerie. And as if on cue, here she comes. "Rose, did you lose something? Let me help you look," she offered, kind enough to assist while her friends snickered behind her. Like the angel she is, she defended me, "Guys, let's help her look. Everyone loses things; it's not a big deal." "Of course, we'll help," they chorused, their disdain evident. I couldn't care less; at least Valerie was willing to help. "By the way, Rose, what are you looking for?" It was the moment of truth. I had to tell her, and I knew it. Well, here goes nothing... "I can't find the pink paint I brought for you, but I promise I had it," I confessed. Her friends were quick to respond, "But you promised to bring it," "You know pink is her favorite color," "Yeah, she was going to make a beautiful painting of herself with it. Now it won't feel the same."

Valerie finally spoke after what felt like an eternity, "Mia, Lucy, it's okay. She probably didn't mean to. She understands how much this means to me, so it's okay. I'll just have to find another way," she said. Hearing this made me feel really bad and guilty, even though I hadn't necessarily done anything wrong. We searched for a while, and after coming up empty, her friends suggested asking around for paint. "I'm not going to ask random people for paint, no way. It's so embarrassing."

Eventually, Mia and Lucy returned with a can of paint that looked suspiciously like mine. When I questioned them, all they said was, "We got this from the other class; they probably have the same kind of paint." Valerie supported them, saying, "Yeah, many shops sell this kind of paint; it's not a big deal, you know?" I decided I was being paranoid and let it go. Valerie has always been there for me, so I'm glad she was able to find the paint she needed.

Valerie and I met as children and have been inseparable since, despite her friends' disapproval. Our families' wealth initially brought us four friends together. However, after losing my family in a fire during a school trip, life changed drastically; Mia and Lucy shunned me, not wanting to associate with a poor orphan, but Valerie remained by my side. A scholarship allowed me to continue my education. Overall, my life is fairly good; having someone who cares is sufficient for me.