Hellen

I lectured Charlotte for bothering to try changing my brother’s mind about her. I then went to the buffet table to get some grapes, cheese, and crackers. I also got a glass of water because I was thirsty. 

“Hello there,” came a voice from behind me. 

I jumped and whirled around to see a fifteen-year-old girl standing there. She was a kind-looking girl. “Er—hi,” I said, a bit confused. “May I help you?” 

“Yes. I’m Josephine March, a friend of James Patterson’s. Have you seen him?” 

I felt a surge of jealousy in my veins. Stop, I told myself. He’s sixteen. You’re thirteen. He’s out of your league. Tell her yes. He’s right by the door. 

“No,” I said instead. “I’m sorry, Miss March, but I haven’t seen him.” 

“Oh. Alright. Well, I’ll see you around the party, then.” She walked away and approached three other girls. I was suspicious of this girl. I didn’t know why, but for some reason, I was. I made my way to a nearer spot so I could eavesdrop. I spotted the girl Delilah a few feet away from Josephine, so I went up to her. “Hey, Delilah,” I said. 

“Oh! Hello, Hellen.” 

“I’m just going to stand here if that’s okay.” 

“Okay…….? May I ask why?” 

“I’m just listening to some girl’s conversation.” I moved my gaze toward the March girl. 

Delilah followed my gaze. “Oh, you mean Jo? She’s a good friend of my brother’s.” 

“I’ve heard.” 

“She comes to the bakery from time to time with her sisters.” 

“Sisters?” I wondered. 

“Yes, those three girls she’s talking to; they’re her sisters: Amy, Beth, and Margaret.” 

“Interesting.” 

“What’s so interesting about that? They’re only names.” 

I said nothing, so Delilah continued, “James receives a letter from Jo almost every day. It’s hard to make sense of. She’s almost always downtown, where James usually goes daily for trips to the market, and yet for some odd reason, she writes so very much. It’s almost as if she’s hoping to get an engagement any day.” 

Another surge of jealousy rushed through me at these words. Quit it, I thought.  

“What’s James’ response to that?” I questioned. 

“He doesn’t seem to see a problem with her writing to him so much. He just sees it as a sign of friendship. Besides, he’s got his eyes upon another girl, and Jo knows that he’s only her friend.” 

“I see. Well, do you know who this girl is that James is interested in?” 

“Why do you want to know?” Delilah asked. Oh no, she’s onto me. 

“I’m just curious,” I lied as I took a sip of water. 

“Well, alright. He’s set upon Charlotte, but he knows that she’s engaged to the Turner boy, so he lays low mostly.” 

The sip sprayed from my mouth. “Oh, I’m so sorry, Delilah! I’m just shocked, I mean—Charlotte? Don’t you think that’s a bit much? I mean, they’re a three-year age difference, after all.” 

“I shan’t have a problem with it. I think it’s sweet he likes my best friend.” 

“Well, I’ll be going, now. Thank you for explaining all this to me, Delilah!” I walked away at a brisk pace and went straight back to the Turner mansion.