Fire and Ice

jane

     I excuse myself from Zeke and he nods walking off too his other basketball friends. Then suddenly, it's only Amanda and I standing in front of each other while no one else is around. My whole body is shaking from nerves and I can barely control it.

"Hi," I manage to say.

"Hey."

Silence.

"Did you enjoy the game?" I ask trying my best at a conversation.

She nods in return. "Sports aren't that bad as I thought," she pauses before adding almost hesitantly, "you look great."

"Thank you, I learn from the best."

The smile I missed so much has finally reappeared on Amanda. Though I didn't expect her to burst out so sudden, it took me aback.

"I miss you Jane. I miss our friendship."

Without thinking I wrap my arms around her and whisper in her hair that's filling with my tears. "Me too. I don't want to lose you, ever."

"Me neither."

"I'm sorry," we say in unison.

"Let's not fight again like that," I state. "I don't like it."

"Me neither," Amanda says again but laughing this time. We pull away, but she holds me at arms length enough to observe my outfit. "So, is this a norm now?"

"Maybe, like maybe you can take me shopping sometime?"

"I would love too, and maybe you can show me some video games?"

I chuckle. "Baby steps."

Amanda then asks about Zeke and I tell her the entire story leaving her all goo-goo-eyed for me. She was extremely excited and proud of me which has made me miss her more. She even told me her thoughts about cheerleading, and now I'm not so against it. Our parents find us talking away and seem very pleased, as if they had just accomplished something great.

"I knew you girls would be friends again," Amanda's mom tells us cheerfully making us erupt in giggles.

Everything felt lightweight now that Amanda is by my side. I squeeze her closer just in case she can slip through and that weight will suddenly come back on to my chest. She draped her arm around me and gave me a cheeky smile.

"Jane and I will be best friends forever," she said.

"Even though we are like fire and ice, there's always earth and we can meet there— right in the middle. We are like sisters after all, aren't we?"

Amanda agrees with a nod and a squeeze to my shoulder. Looking at Amanda now, I know we can face any challenge that waits ahead of us even if we are opposites— we will be in it together.