The Lounge


    Pattie''s heart did a little leap when Justin walked into the lounge. Honestly, it was the first time anyone her age had evere by just to check on her. Growing up with Penny and her lot, school wasn''t really an option, and getting knocked around was just another Tuesday. Friends? That was something other kids had.


    Later, when Herman stepped in, she finally got to go to school. But by then, she was so used to being an outsider, and everyone knew her backstory. No one wanted to hang out with the girl whose home life was a mess.


    Most of the kids at Maple Lane Preschool were from around the block. Their parents, not wanting trouble from Penny, warned their kids to stay away from Pattie.


    When Herman and Anastasia took her in and sent her to a posh private school, things didn''t get much better. Julie made sure everyone knew to keep their distance-spread some nasty rumors, called her a charity case. School was just


    another battleground.


    Then her voice got ruined, and Herman started hiring private tutors. Pattie barely even saw kids her own age after that.


    So yeah, aside from her family, Pattie was pretty much on her own. She had that cool, icy look down pat, but deep inside, she would have given anything just for a real friend.


    She was a little jealous of Layna, if she was honest. Layna could always summon a crowd-sure, sometimes just to stir up trouble, but still. At least Layna had people.


    "Paradise, let me put some ice on your forehead," Justin said, snapping Pattie out of her thoughts. "I''ll be gentle, promise. The swelling will go down in no time."


    She nodded, a little dazed.


    Pattie wanted to sign something to Justin, but then she remembered how Juliana and Layna hadughed at her for it-said it was like she was putting on a show. That stung. She felt even more self-conscious.


    What if Justin thought she was weird for not talking? What if he didn''t want to be her friend anymore?


    Justin wrapped some ice in a towel and reached out, but Pattie took it from him, pressing it to her own forehead.


    He paused, then seemed to get it. Pattie couldn''t talk, and Justin didn''t know signnguage—he just had to guess what she meant.


    He didn''t push. Instead, he sat across from her, hesitated, then said, "Paradise, does it hurt? If it does, you can tell me. No need to keep it all in.”


    This was only the second time he''d met Pattie, but she wasn''t like any other kid he knew—quiet, stubborn, and way too serious for her age.


    Layna was loud and dramatic; Pattie was calm and cool. She acted like she was older than all of them.


    Pattie looked at Justin and shook her head, then nodded. Her forehead really did hurt, but she didn''t want to admit it. At the same time, she wanted to be honest with her friend. So she nodded again.


    Her mixed signals made Justin''s heart ache a little. He reached out and gently ruffled her hair. Pattie stiffened in surprise.


    Her parents did that sometimes, but it was differenting from Justin.


    Justin didn''t notice. Smiling warmly, he said, "Tomorrow I''ll bring you another drawing. Don''t be sad, okay? It''s your birthday you should be happy."


    His smile was the kind that made you feel like you''d just stepped into a patch of sunlight after a cold day. Pattie felt something warm up inside her.


    He was just... good. Like the big brother you always wished you had.


    Pattie tried her best to smile and nodded.


    Seeing her, Justin''s own grin grew. "Paradise, you look great when you smile. You should do that more often."


    She wanted to tell him he looked good smiling, too. She dug out a notepad and scribbled, "You look great when you smile, too."


    Justin''s eyes lit up. "Then I''ll make sure to smile at you a lot."


    It wasn''t just something he said. It was a promise. Years down the road, even when Justin grew into someone people found intimidating just by his presence, around Pattie, he''d always be the guy with the easy smile-the kind that could chase away any shadow. Contént


    They both smiled. For the first time, Pattie felt like she really, truly had a friend.


    Excited, she wrote again: "What''s fun to do in Harbor Town?"


    She was still a kid at heart-curious and always looking for adventure.


    Justin''s grin widened. "Oh, tons! When summer break starts, I''ll take you around


    Harbor Town, show you all the best spots. I''ll be your tour guide."


    Pattie didn''t say yes or no. She was curious, but she wasn''t sure if she''d actually get to go. If Layna was going to be there for break, Rattie would probably skip it.


    She really didn''t want to run into Layna.


    When Pattie went quiet again, Justin asked, "Paradise, have you always been


    unable to talk?"


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    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!