A Likely Story

Once upon a time there was a girl named Sunshine Indigo. She had a best friend of five years named Karen Hope. It was Sunshine’s birthday so Karen brought over a cupcake because they lived on the same street. Karen rang the doorbell and Sunshine answered with a luminescent smile. “Hey! Is that for me? Sunshine exclaimed while pointing at the purple frosting. “Yeah. But can we go up to your room first?” Karen replied. “Of couse!” Sunshine laughed whimsically. When they got to Sunshine’s  room Karen put the birthday treat on the table next to her, clasped her hands and said, “Happy Sweet Sixteen.” There was a monotone in her voice as if she practiced saying it in the mirror. Karen proceeded to say, “I’m moving.” Sunshine had halfway devoured the cupcake, as sprinkles fell from her dainty chin. Sunshine quickly swallowed and her throat felt dry. Sunshine no longer had sunshine in her eyes but mustered courage to say, “What?” in a shocked tone. Karen just stared at the polished hard wood floor. Sunshine took a deep breath and said, “Leave.” Karen nodded and walked down the stairs while the silence swallowed her disposition. After what seemed like forever, Karen called up Sunshine on her cell phone. Karen was at the park they used to hang out at after school. Karen figured she could lose her best friend but not the memories. Sunshine’s cell phone rang twice. Karen pushed herself on the swing slowly, hearing the chains creak. After the third ring, Sunshine picked up. “What do you want?” Sunshine retorted stiffly. “Can I still help you pick out your outfit for the party tonight before I leave for good?” Karen whispered. “Okay, like we planned.” Sunshine found herself saying. “Like we planned.” Karen repeated. Sunshine hung up as Karen leaped off the swing with hope and joy in her heart. Karen contemplated if she handled things right, but all she knew was that Sunshine was her only friend, and there was nothing wrong with that. Sunshine was waiting by the door and opened it before Karen even had a chance to ring the doorbell. “I’m sorry!” Sunshine cried. She embraced Karen. “Don’t worry about it Sunny.” Karen beamed. For the next two hours the girls flipped through fashion magazines in a frenzy and things felt like they used to be. They finally decided on some combinations they pieced together. “Pale colors look really good on you because of your blond hair.” Karen noticed. “But I think we could make the creamy dress you have more edgy if you add animal prints like Diane Argon in this section.” Karen remarked. Sunshine glanced at what Karen was referring to, then rifled through her closet and brought out a zebra print scarf. Sunshine flung it around her neck like a feather boa. “That’s perfect, you diva.” Karen joked. Sunshine pulled the delicate fabric of her pale satin dress over her head, brushed out the wrinkles near hear tiny waist, slipped on pink ballet flats and Karen helped her apply red lipstick with smokey mascara. “Where are you moving?” Sunshine asked. “Paris.” Karen purred as she pinned Sunshine’s long hair into an intricate bun. “That’s not even in the same country… You can’t be serious…” Sunshine sulked. “I’ll write to you everyday.” Karen chirped. “You promise?” Sunshine whimpered. “Duh.” Karen quipped jokingly.
Sunshine’s light side bangs swept in front of her eyes as a single tear escaped without Karen seeing. “Have you decided on any music yet?” Karen remembered. “I’m thinking Coldplay, Foster The People, anything indie sounding really.” “You took the words right out of my mouth, Sunny Indigo. Maybe I should start calling you Indie now. By the way, you look ravishing my lady.” Karen giggled “Don’t I always?” Sunshine teased.
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SunnyD: the party wasnt the same without u
KarenCares3: they prob say that bout every party im not at lol
SunnyD: wat u doin?
KarenCares3: missin u my only bffl
SunnyD: ditto i g2g write me l8tr :)
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Bonjour Sunshine, Paris isn’t the same without you. Sending this short postcard because we went to the eiffel tower when it was raining and my dad wondered out loud, “Where’s the Sunshine?” Ironically, I was think about you too. Always, Karen
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Dear Karen, I’m so jealous. It’s so funny that you have to wait until April Fools for your birthday, I’ll get you back for what you pranked me with last year. That gum is likely still lingering in my hair! Anyway, I hope you let me pick out your sweet sixteen outfit over Skype, even if it takes us hours! You are not wearing black either as long as I’m alive because it’s not my funeral! You are the strongest person I know and the bestest friend. Is bestest even a word? Haha. Forever, Sunshine