When Jess Met Sarah

“I have to pee!” I called to my mum as I ran to the public bathrooms at the park.

“Remember to lock the door, sweetie,” she called to me as I ran.

I waved my hand behind me, letting her know that I'd heard her. I was twelve, of course I’d remember to lock the door.

Running into the stall, the door slammed shut but the lock wouldn’t turn. “Dammit!” I called, sitting down, and holding the door shut with my hand.

Finishing, I let go of the door to button up my jeans.

A spit second later it flew open and another girl about my age came running in.

“I have to pee!” she called to someone outside.

I stared at her in surprise, my button half done up.

“Argh!” she screamed, turning and seeing me for the first time. “Ah, sorry! The door was unlocked!”

“The lock doesn’t latch,” I said to her, buttoning up my jeans and walking out, "It’s all yours!"

She chuckled nervously. “Thanks,” she said.

I walked over the basin, washed my hands and went to hitch my backpack over my shoulder when I realised… I’d left my bag in the stall!

Groaning, I covered my eyes and waited for her to finish.

The toilet flushed and the door opened.

Grinning when she saw me, she handed me my backpack. “Yours?” she asked.

“Yup,” I replied, my face bright red.

“Don’t worry,” she whispered, “I’m a fan of My Little Pony too.”

I laughed, waited for her to wash her hands and walked back to the park with her.

“What’s your name?” she asked me.

“Jess,” I replied. “Yours?”

“Sarah,” she said. “My sisters name is Jess.”

“Best name for the best people,” I said, winking.

I saw my mum looking for me and I called out to her and waved. Seeing that I was okay, she waved at me and went back to pushing my little brother on the swing.

Hauling my My Little Pony backpack higher up my shoulder, I looked at Sarah. “Thanks for giving my backpack back,” I said. “I guess I should go now.”

“Are you hungry?” Sarah asked, “I have some snacks in my bag we could share.”

As if answering for me, my stomach grumbled, and I grinned sheepishly. “I am a little hungry,” I replied. “I have some snacks in my bag we can share too.”

Grinning, Sarah grabbed my hand and pulled me towards a massive mango tree, and plonked down on the soft grass. She lifted up a large branch that had fallen down and pulled a sparkly pink backpack out from behind it.

“My secret hiding spot,” she whispered to me, giggling.

I giggled back, unzipping my own backpack and tipping the contents on the grass.

Sarah tipped the contents of her bag on top of mine, and laughing, we took turns eating each others snacks, playing with our dolls and sharing snippets of our diaries.

Before long we were best friends. I felt like I’d known Sarah my whole life.

“Do you have a boyfriend?” Sarah asked me slyly, leaning towards me as if to check to see whether I’d lie to her.

“No!” I gasped, my face burning. “Boys are gross!”

“Well I have a boyfriend,” Sarah sighed, flipping her hair dramatically. “We’ve been dating since kindergarten. Except for that time he married Sally Mophatt for a week, we broke up then. But he’s since learnt his lesson.”

“Are you going to marry him?” I asked, completely serious.

“My mum said that when I get older I should meet some new boys, but I haven’t thought too much about it.” Sarah sighed again, as if her wordly experience was too much for her to bear.

“Wow.” I said, flopping back onto the grass behind me. “My dad told me I wasn’t allowed to date until I was thirty.”

“Thirty!” Sarah exclaimed, throwing her doll in shock, “That’s ancient!”

“Well, boys are gross anyway.” I mumbled, my cheeks going pink and my heart skipping a beat as I thought about a certain boy I sat next to at school. “I don’t want to date anyway.”

Sarah smiled at me as if she knew I was lying, but didn’t say anything. Instead opting to flop herself next to me, passing me the doll the threw before.

I brushed it’s hair absently, looking at the clouds moving in between the leaves of the tree.

“Jess!” My mum called to me.

“Here!” I called back, lifting the doll into the air without sitting up. “Under the mango tree.”

“It’s time to go, sweetie. Oh!” My mum exclaimed, “Look at this mess!” Seeing Sarah she smiled. “Hello dear.” She said. “Where’s your parents?”

Sarah pointed to a gazebo by the creek, "They’re over there."

My mum must have caught the eye of Sarah’s mum as she walked away.

“I’d better clean this up.” I said to Sarah, sitting up with a groan and starting to pack my things back in my bag.

“Here.” Sarah said dramatically, handing me the doll I just passed back to her. “Keep her, so you can remember our friendship.”

I looked at her confused. “What do you mean?” I asked.

“We won’t see each other again after today! So take her so you’ll never forget me!” Sarah cried, covering her eyes with the crook of her arm.

Just as I was about to reply, my mum came back with a woman that must have been Sarah’s mum, judging from the way they looked identical.

“Good news girls, we’re going to catch up tomorrow so you can get to know each other better.” My mum said, smiling at the two of us.

“Oh!” Sarah said, no trace of tears on her face. “Yay! Well you can give me my doll back tomorrow then!”

“Tomorrow it is.” I replied, smiling.

I packed up the rest of my things, held Sarah’s doll in my hand and waved.

Sarah stepped forwards and pulled me into a tight hug. “I’m so glad that door didn’t lock!” she said.

“Me too,” I replied, laughing as my mum gave me a confused look. I’ll tell you later I mouthed to her.

Who knew that you could become friends with someone after such an awkward first meeting!