Four | At Sixteen Years

For the past few hours, groaning seemed to be her favorite sport.

Lyn stared at the girl on the bed. Her hair was draped on the pillow in soft waves and her face was contorted into a painful expression. The white hospital gown seemed to blend in with her pale complexion. To top it all off, she seemed abnormally thin.

They weren't at the hospital but in the house, where her mother was attending to the children and the girl at the same time. Lyn was wordlessly sitting on a couch in the guest room, staring at the girl who was shifting around on the bed as if she was having a bad dream.

"Merry? How is she?" Her mother's soft voice came from the door. Her head popped in, looking at the girl on the bed.

"Okay, Mum," Lyn replied in her thick accent, "I pressed the wet cloth around her body. She hasn't woken up yet."

"Poor little girl," her mother clasped her hands together. "Your father's contacting her parents right now. They must be really worried."

"Maybe," Lyn mumbled. She was still curious about the girl. Who was her family? How had the car bumped into the pole? She hasn't seen her around town.

"Can you watch over her until tonight, Merry please?"

She didn't bother looking back at her mother. The house was hectic everyday - with seven hyperactive kids to take care of and a big mansion to clean. Lyn nodded and heard the door close.

Not long after, the door opened again. This time it wasn't her mother but little Kenny, the third youngest of the Beckers. Lyn's little brother curled up next to her. She pulled her close and ruffled his hair.

"She's pretty," Kenny softly commented. The girl had calmed down now, her groans reducing into snores.

Lyn smiled, "Yeah she is."

The girl stirred, moving around. "Is she waking up?" Lyn heard Kenny whisper faintly. She ignored him and went over to the side of the bed.

The girl's eyes were open.

"What's your name?" Lyn offered a small smile.

The stranger blinked once, twice, then yawned. "Love - " she croaked, "Lovely."

Lyn scowled. Really? Are Americans this overflowing with rudeness and sass? "No need to be sarcastic. We all know your situation now is . . . Tragic," she said.

The girl stared at her, "That's my name. Lovely's my name."

"Oh," Lyn flushed and resisted the urge to slap herself. How could she be so stupid? "Sorry," she apologized.

"I'm Kenny." The two girls turned back to see the boy flash a toothy smile.

Lovely, the girl, grinned in return, "You're cute."

Lyn knew she had to explain everything to Lovely, who was probably confused at the moment. She shooed Kenny out and promised cake later on. Then, she locked the door and faced Lovely.

Lovely was sitting up with a bit of difficulty. Her middle burned with pain and her head felt too heavy. Her throat felt dried out and her stomach hollow. She stared unbelievingly at the girl by the door.

She studied her. Her hair was cut short, in a bob cut, her eyes were sharp and her lips thin. She figured the girl belonged here, a born Brit. She fidgeted as the girl stared at her caluclatingly.

"You're wondering where you are and why," Lyn told her as she nodded. Like Lovely heard, she had a thick British accent.

"Well, I'm Lyn," Lyn said as she made her way back to the bed, "How much do you remember?"

Lovely reached into her brain for some sort of answer. She recalled the car hitting her, the driver rushing out and everything was black and red. She dreamt of someone . . . Her parents . . . Gavin. Lovely gasped as tears formed in her eyes.

"My parents," she said breathily, "Where are they?"

Lyn gazed at her tear-smudged face. "My father was contacting them, the last time I checked. Don't worry, you're safe here. Can you tell me what happened?"

Lovely looked around the room. It seemed to belong in a simple house, with old faded walls and a soft carpet. The bed she sat on was stuffed with pillows and a comforter and the light cast a dim yellow glow. Looking out the window, she saw the snow-coated streets of London.

"I was just out of the house," she recounted softly, "My parents weren't around. It was late at night. I just crossed the street and the motorbike hit me . . . Then the car." There wasn't much damage, she remembered but it still hurt as hell.

"You're not from around here, are you?" Lyn asked her, tilting her head.

Lovely shook her head, "We just moved here in England a month ago."

When Lyn was about to say something, there came a knock on the door. Lyn's father peeked in and took a look at Lovely. "Your parents are coming," he said to her, "You better get ready."

Then, he turned to his daughter, "Merlyn?"

"I'll help her," Lyn nodded. Then her father left.

Lovely stared curiously at Lyn. She was different, very different than anyone she has ever met in both America and England. And for some reason, she was drawing her in. "Merlyn?" The name escaped her lips.

"My full name," Lyn's head whipped around to look at her, "Merlyn Becker."

"Thank you," Lovely sheepishly said. This family seemed to have done a lot for her, "Thank you so much for everything."

A smile tugged at Lyn's lips. This girl - a stranger caught in an accident - seemed to be interesting. She guessed there was a lot more to her personality. "You're welcome, Lovely."

At that moment, the door swung open and in came six laughing kids. Lyn stared, horrified, as her siblings ran towards Lovely and started tackling her with questions.

"Sorry," Oscar, the eldest child after Lyn at fourteen, gave his sister an apologetic smile. Lyn fumed silently.

She watched the children crowded around Lovely. The girl, who didn't seemed fazed at all, was grinning with them. Despite that, Lyn saw how she cringed as she shifted around.

"That's enough!" Their mother shrieked as she appeared by the doorway, holding the baby. The kids groaned and filed out the door.

"Lovely," Lyn's mother called out, "Your parents are he - "

She was cut off when a posh woman rushed inside the house and immediately crushed Lovely in a hug. "My darling baby girl," the banshee was screaming and kissing her daughter.

Lyn crinkled her nose in disgust; she could tell that even Lovely didn't like her mother. Those were the snobbish people - plastic on one side and arrogant on the other.

Lovely's father soon followed. Lyn sensed his tight and strict aura, that of a businessman's. She was half-hoping that Lovely didn't turn out being either of her parents. Poor little girl, thought she.

"You kept her here?" Lovely's father faced her mother, "For two days?"

"What!" Amanda, Lovely's mother, stood up and glared daggers at Lyn and her mother. "You didn't even bring her to the hospital!" Her voice was so high-pitched that it almost broke Lyn's ears.

"Mom, I'm okay," Lovely helpelessly tried to defend, but it was useless. Amanda was in a yelling spree.

"My wife is a nurse. She attended to your daughter and took care of her wounds." Lyn's father emerged and laid a hand on his wife's shoulder.

"No, you didn't care what happened to our little girl." Lovely's father said.

Shouts rang from here and there. The baby was already wailing and Lyn was angrier than ever. Lovely was trying to calm her parents, but her pleas were drowned out.

"Stop!" Lyn shouted, silencing everyone in the room.

"You can take her away now," Lyn crossed her arms and held her ground. The hag and her husband were glaring at her.

"Fine," Amanda the banshee helped Lovely out of bed. The family of three walked out the door.

"I'm sorry," Lovely told Lyn quietly as she passed her. An empty feeling settled in Lovely's chest.

It wasn't supposed to be that way.

* * *

Lovely breathed in and out as she stood at the window sill. She looked back; there was no more changing minds. She clutched her painful middle and gritted her teeth. She had never been this rebellious since that time when she snuck out with Gavin.

But this time, she was sneaking out by herself.

Brave enough for a jump, Lovely leaped and landed on the fire escape. She winced as she made a loud clinging sound but nonetheless continued down the steps.

The last step was at least seven feet from the ground. Jumping down, she collided with the grass.

What are you doing? She chided herself, You were just in an accident.

She thought of her parents and their hateful faces when they screamed at the poor family. That wasn't right. It was as if her parents were replaced by cruel people.

She drew her hood up and ran on the sidewalk. This has to be her craziest plan and yet neither the troublemakers Eric Jay and Eddie were around. How ironic.

She rubbed her arms up and down. The air was chillier in London, especially with the winter season. She ran and ran as fast as her weak legs can.

Before she knew it, she crashed into the hood of a car. The alarm and the lights blared as she scrambled off it. Lovely blinked. What happened to her? Did she doze off of space out? Blinking, she panickedly tried to scurry when a voice shouted, "Hey!"

Lovely froze. If she was caught, then her parents would probably disown her. She was stupid. Too idiotic. So crazy.

A girl's figure was approaching. Lovely squinted; Was that Lyn? Merlyn Becker?

And so like she thought, the brunette whom she met days ago was back in front of her.

Lyn's face twisted in confusion, "Lovely?"

"Hi," Lovely croaked.

Lyn crossed her arms. This girl, Lovely thought, was a strong stubborn one. Lyn was the kind of girl she could never be. Lyn had the strength and courage she could never have.

"What, for goodness' sake, are you doing here?" Lyn asked.

Lovely licked her lips. "I wanted to see you. Let me apologize . . . Maybe we could go to your house - "

"What? So your parents can find you again and shout at mine?"

"No!" Lovely said, "But please - "

She stopped herself short.

Lyn gazed at her cautiously. Lovely could tell she didn't trust her, especially with that little episode. But she had to say sorry and - if she was lucky - gain her first friend in her new home.

"Come on," Lyn turned back and began to walk, "I know a place."

The two girls walked into a midnight coffee shop. Lyn had claimed it was the best in town. And so they ended up sitting on a table next to the window. Lovely clutched a cup of coffee in her hands.

"You wanted to apologize?" Lyn smirked, "Snuck out of the house?"

Lovely flushed red, "Yes, yes I did."

"I'm really sorry about my parents," she continued softly, "Actually, I'm so grateful for what you did. Tell your mom thank you so much from me. Your dad, too, and the kids."

"I'm really sorry, Lyn. I - "

"How do you even tolerate your parents?" Lyn's face softened.

Lovely laughed bitterly. She didn't have to deal with them everyday because they'd be working or in a business trip. "They became like that when we moved," said Lovely, "If they're not working, or meeting their so-called friends, they're pressuring me to be perfect. Perfect daughter. Lovely do this and do that. Lovely be like this and like that."

Lyn frowned, "That sounds awful."

"Mmhmm," Lovely agreed, "but it doesn't matter. They're away most of the time."

"Sorry I kind of misjudged you," Lyn smiled sheepishly.

They chatted for a while and that was when Lovely realized that Merlyn Becker was the friend she was looking for. Lyn came from a big family, with her grandmother, parents and seven siblings living under the same roof. She was eldest, and half the time it wasn't the best job.

Lyn loved fashion and dressing up, which surprised Lovely. The girls found out they had so much in common.

"So how's life in America anyway?"

Lovely sucked in a breath, thinking about Gavin.

She leaned in, looking at Lyn in the eye, "Can I tell you a sad story?" She had to pour this out.

"Sad for you or me?"

"Me?" Lovely laughed half heartedly.

"Did you know I had a best friend in America? A guy friend?" She began. "His name was Gavin. Gavin with our gang of eight. We grew together and we were closer to each other. Then, we admitted our feelings toward each other. We were fourteen then."

"Early boyfriend and girlfriend?" Lyn asked curiously.

"We were . . . Sort of. Too young for that but we treated each other like so. Kisses exempted."

"And let me guess," Lyn said, "You had to move and break up with him."

"Sad right?" Lovely smiled tightly. "Sorry, that sounded more sarcastic in my mind."

Lyn waved that off, "So this Gavin. You remained in contact with him?"

"We had for a few days after I moved," Lovely answered. "But then, poof - " she snapped her fingers, "We're gone."

"Words of advice, dear," Lyn laid a hand on her shoulder. She took a piece of cheesecake and stuffed it inside Lovely's mouth, "People come and go in your life. You can view your move here as a curse or a blessing. If you still feel something for him, it wouldn't die out if it's really love."

"Don't be trapped by the things you left behind. Just stand tall and embrace this new life. Enjoy it."

Lovely laughed out loud, "You are so deep."

* * *

Fast forward, three months later, the girls now lied in Lyn's uncle's truck. They comfortably curled up next to each other in the back with endless pillows, blankets and comforters surrounding them. Lyn wore Ray Bans while Lovely was trying to capture Skittles in her mouth.

Lovely grinned as another candy landed perfectly. For the past few months, Merlyn Becker had stood by her side as her first and only best friend in England. Lyn was everything she imagined and more - crazy but at the same time hardheaded.

And that gathers up reason for Lovely to tell her something that's been bothering her.

"Lyn?" Lovely shifted to her side and faced her friend.

"Yes dear?" Lyn raised her Ray Bans. As usual, her piercing eyes matched her accent.

"How do you feel about being confused?"

She stared at her, "Confused how?"

Lovely bit her lip. She can't do this, can she? She wasn't even sure about how she felt. "Like . . ." she hesitantly said, "Gender confused."

Lyn blinked at her. Oh no, Lovely thought, now she thinks I'm weird and creepy. This was stupid.

"Hun," Lyn began, "Lots of friends I know are gay. Whatever you're going through, I'm right here. Now what's really the problem?"

Lovely was stunned. She was never any more glad to have a Lyn in her life.

"I'm not sure," Lovely sat up, "You know lots of guys are flirting with me and all . . . But - "

"Maybe you're not just interested?"

"No," Lovely shook her head rapidly, "You don't understand. I don't feel any attraction for boys anymore and when I see girls . . . "

"You're lesbian?"

"I don't know!" Lovely shrieked and pulled at her hair. Tears threatened to escape her eyes.

"How do I find out?" She looked straight at Lyn.

"Wait, wait hun," Lyn smirked, "Don't tell me you're homo for me."

"No," Lovely turned red, "Not you! Of course not! I mean, you're pretty and all but you're my friend!" Merlyn was nothing but a best friend to her.

"Well thanks," Lyn laughed a little, "But have you tried kissing a girl?"

"Kissing a . . . ?"

"I think that's the best way to find out, don't you think?"

Lyn bravely tugged her down and kissed her smack on the lips.