Day 8 - Danielle

In fourth grade my friendship with Christie was tested. Danielle moved into our neighborhood and was in our class. She was different from everyone else at school and that interested me. Danielle, Christie and I began playing together. We would go to the creek and walk across the dangerous dam, jump across on slippery rocks, and walk through the tunnel under the road. Christie was a good kid, she was always the first to back out of a dare or mention the rules. Danielle made fun of her for it and I'm embarrassed to say I would join in. It wasn't Danielle's fault that Christie and I started fighting. She wanted a friend, but she was just a third wheel when Christie was around.

I slept over at Danielle's house a few times. I never met her Dad and her Mom was only around long enough to pay for pizza. I watched my first R-rated horror movie at Danielle's house. It seemed she was allowed to do what she wanted. One morning after we stayed up really late playing, eating junk and watching 'The Leprechaun', I woke up to her mom yelling at us. I don't remember it too well, but we had to clean up everything and I had to leave. It was scary.

I'd like to say I came to my senses and started treating Christie well of my own volition, but it isn't true. I tried to break up with Christie in note and then chickened out right before she read it. I stole it back and ripped it up. The incident was blown out of proportion and we had to meet with a counselor. After a tearful explanation, I was asked to examine my friendships and priorities. In the end, I chose Christie and Danielle chose Claire. Claire and Danielle would be the first in our school to dye their hair, wear wild makeup and claim to drink. I'm glad I went back to Christie.