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It’s been a week since the restaurant – incident. Today we are meeting Melvin, J-P, Kit and… Bette again. I can’t get that girl out of my head. I don’t know what it is. Maybe we are meant to be Best Friends? I guess it’s that. Helena says she likes Kit and P-J but she thinks Bette is a little strange. I tried to tell her she is actually Nice, more like… amazing… but as usual she won’t listen to anyone.

We need to leave now. I walk to the car and Mom drives us to the park, we are having a pick-nick or something. I don’t really care I only want to see Bette again. We arrive and I get out of the car. I search for Bette immediately. I see her sitting against a tree reading a book that I think is about art. Her siblings are sitting a few meters away talking and Melvin stands up. He walks to us. He kisses my mother and then turns to me and my sister.

Melvin: Hey, come and sit with us.

We walk after him. Helena immediately goes to Kit and P-J. I say hi to them. Mom and Melvin go sit on the blanket and start to talk. I walk over to Bette and sit next to her. She looks up and smiles. A real, relaxed smile. It sends shivers through my body.

Bette: Hey.

I: Hey. You look happy.

Bette smiled again.

Bette: I talked to my Dad about the situation and he explained to me why he and Mom broke up and I understand it now better. I don’t blame him anymore. I actually look forward to live with everyone.

I smiled at her.

I: I’m happy you feel better.

I meant it.

I: What are you reading?

Bette: Some art book… You will think it’s boring, I guess.

I: No, show me.

She shows me the page she is reading. There was a big picture of metal construction. ‘17 reasons’ was the name of the artwork. Made by Jodi Lerner.

Bette: The artist is only 18. I have met her but I don’t really like her. I love her work, tough.

I: I think it’s a beautiful piece. What is it about?