Girls' Day Out: Part 2

Naomi dreaded whatever Nomvula was about to say. She didn’t want another problem to solve or any more complaints to listen to. Especially not now.

But she had to at least hear what she had to say. After all, they were her people. Who was she to not at least listen to their complaints?

When they made it to the pavilion’s shade, Naomi and Nomvula took a seat on one of the benches. “What’s troubling you?” Naomi asked.

“Before I say anything, I want to know what is troubling you.”

Naomi shrugged. “Nothing is bothering me.”

“How did their comments about your aspirations make you feel?”

Naomi hesitated. “A little annoyed, to be frank.”

“Why?”

“They sound so…condescending. I know Amber’s been going through some things, so I can see why she would be a little grumpy. But I don’t know why the others are acting like her too. It’s like everything I say is a joke.”

“So Amber always behaves this way?”

“No.” Naomi thought back to her other talks with Amber. “But she is like this most of the time nowadays. There was one time I told her about how I was having trouble figuring out how to properly mix two herbs together to get a desired effect, but she told me I should stop playing at being a healer. So, there was that. But I think she was stressed out about her family.”

“Interesting.” Nomvula tapped her chin. “To be quite honest, your friends’ behavior troubles me. It seems they’re taking advantage of you. It’s possible they are only hanging out with you so they can freeload.”

“What makes you say that?”

“They all ‘forgot’ their money pouches. I can see one of them doing so, but all three of them?” She shook her head. “On top of that, they are extremely rude to you. You give them compliments and listen to them, but the moment you express your own dreams or opinions, they shoot you down. It’s very aggravating to watch. You are the Princess of the Shani Kingdom. They’re not treating you like it.”

Naomi’s eyes widened. “You truly think that?”

“Unfortunately, yes. I do.”

Naomi looked at her guards. “You two are usually around and see what’s happening. What do you think?”

One of the guards hesitated. “I’m afraid she’s right, Your Highness. Amber has been extremely rude whenever she’s in a bad mood, and she’s in a bad mood most of the time. As much as I hate to say it, there are times when I’m glad she’s giving you the silent treatment. At least then you don’t have to be around her.”

“Wait,” Nomvula said. “She’s given you the silent treatment?”

Naomi hesitated. “Basically, yes. But I always thought it was because her dad was ill and she was stressed.”

“That could be the reason, yes, but it’s not an excuse to be rude. You do realize that right?”

See! You were right! Something was wrong!

Naomi had always tried to give Amber the benefit of the doubt. Yes, sometimes she could be a bit rude, but it could’ve been because she was having a bad day, right?

Even so, her remarks still hurt. She had assumed it was because she was too sensitive.

That was what Amber had implied, anyway.

But if her counselor thought her friends were rude, then maybe she had been right all along. Maybe her friends were really bullies and she had been too naïve to realize it.

But you did know. You were too afraid to listen to yourself.

If her friends truly were only around her for her money, then why was she with them? Why, after being so nice, had they been so mean to her? What had she done to deserve treatment so bad, that even her guards were fed up with it all?

“What do you suggest I do?” Naomi asked.

“If I were you,” Nomvula said, “I would leave them. You can always make new friends. There are plenty of nicer people in the world. Much nicer.”

Naomi nodded, but she wasn’t sure whether to be happy or sad about what she had said. Amber was the first friend and only friend she had. She wasn’t sure she wanted to lose that. They had had some good times, after all.

Also, Amber was still upset about her father being ill, and her mother being stressed out lately. Would she be okay if Naomi ended the friendship? Or would that cause Amber even more pain? Would that push her off the edge?

“Are you okay?” Nomvula asked.

Not necessarily, she thought. Naomi smiled. “I’m alright. Thank you for your input. I shall take what you said into consideration.” She looked back to the pond where her friends were sitting on the pier chatting away. They had used up all the bread and were watching the ducks. “I’ll tell them I have to go for now.” I’ll keep my distance from Amber for a while. That way, I can have more time to think about how to handle this.

“Good idea,” Nomvula said. “I’ll wait here for a little while.”

Naomi headed back to her friends, and her guards followed her.

Her friends’ backs were turned to her, and as she got closer, she heard part of their conversation.

“...She fell for that!” Diane said.

“Quiet!” Amber hissed. “Before someone hears.”

“Oh calm down. You’re such a worrywart.”

“We should invite the princess more often,” Ashanti said. “She can pay for all our meals from now on. Just make sure to forget your money again!”

Diane and Ashanti laughed, but Amber didn’t say anything. She still seemed nervous.

Naomi’s body tensed. It was like she had turned to stone. Her counselor had been right. Her so-called friends were using her.

And she had let them.

She had let them play her like a fiddle because she felt sorry for them, because she had sympathy for them. Her father was right. Her kindness did make her a target for heartless people.

Amber looked around, and saw Naomi. She punched Diane’s shoulder.

“Ow! What?” Diane looked behind her to see Naomi. Her face changed from confusion to shock. Then she smiled. “Oh, Princess! We were just talking about how cute these ducks are. Aren’t they cute?”

Naomi wanted to shout at them. How dare you? How dare you treat me like dirt and then smile as if everything was right with the world? How dare you take advantage of me? Especially you, Amber!

Instead, Naomi said, “Yes. Cute.”

Diane looked taken aback. She glanced at Amber and Ashanti. “Are you okay?”

“Yes. I’ve never been better.” She pulled out her watch and took a look at it. “I’ve got a council meeting to attend. I’ll catch up with you guys later.”

The three of them looked a little nervous.

Amber wasn’t able to look Naomi in the eye.

“Alright then,” Diane said. “Bye, Princess!”

“Farewell.” She walked away, her guards following behind her.

She walked right past the pavilion where Nomvula had been waiting. She didn’t feel like stopping or waiting on her.

Nomvula quickly left her seat and caught up to her. “Are you okay?”

“I’ll be better when I get home,” Naomi said.

She needed to get back to the palace where it was safe. When they made it to the carriage, Naomi and Nomvula got in immediately.

“Take me home, please,” Naomi said to the coachman.

The carriage rode off.

For a few minutes, Naomi and Nomvula rode in absolute silence.

Naomi kept the windows curtained, not wishing anyone to see even a hint of distress on her face.

“Princess, do you want to talk about anything?” Nomvula asked.

No. I didn’t even want you to come! Naomi smiled. “I’m okay. Thank you.”

Nomvula looked concerned, but nodded.

When they made it to the palace, Naomi headed straight for her bedroom.

As she walked up stairs and walked down hallways, painful thoughts flooded her mind.

Idiot! That’s what you are. How could you be so naive? Baba was right about you. You’re too nice! What’s wrong with you?

Amber is such a jerk! She’s a horrible friend. You knew she was bad and you still hung out with her. Idiot!

She rushed into her bedroom, locked the door, and crawled underneath her bed covers. She felt like crying, and she wanted to cry, but no tears came.

Why wouldn’t tears come when she wanted them too?

She was all alone.

She had no real friends.

Sure, there was the kind royal advisor, and Ms. Malfeasance as well. But she couldn’t talk to them about the things that weighed on her mind. And even though Nomvula was a counselor who wanted her to talk about her problems, she still didn’t completely trust her.

Besides, they were all adults, and she was a youth. She wanted a friend around her age.

As she lay there, the sun set, and soon stars appeared in the sky.

I won’t ever let anyone use me again! I won’t be Amber’s friend anymore!

Naomi took a deep breath, and her tensed muscles relaxed. She wouldn’t be Amber’s friend anymore. Maybe she’d still help her out from time to time, but she didn’t need to hang out with her.

She should be sad about that, right? She was a little bit. But at the same time she was happy. Relieved even. She didn’t have to worry about whether Amber would be in a good mood or not, or whether she would criticize her for something silly.

She walked over to her window and sat down on her window seat. The stars were beautiful tonight. More beautiful than they ever were before. Because even though she probably was alone, she would at least have some more peace of mind.

At least, for the moment, she was free.