The CBB :: View topic - My Best Friend

#1: My Best Friend Author: BethC, Location: Worcester, UK

Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2005 9:50 pm

This isn't quite what I wanted, and it does feel very much like an amalgam of other people's ideas, as a lot of this has come up in recent discussions, but I thought I'd post it while people's minds are on the subject. Apologies if I've used your idea without realising it - do PM me and say so!

Second-in-command.

Second Prefect.

Second-best.

Yes, people like me, say I’m clever, pretty, kind; I’m good at sports and do well in lessons – but it’s never quite enough, is it? Until I was ten I was a leader: my playmates looked to me for decisions, I was first choice for Form Prefect – and then along came my best friend. For friend she is: we’ve grown up together, gone through those awkward early teens side by side, spent holidays at each other’s homes, and she’s stuck by me throughout. Yet in recent years I’ve found it more and more difficult to stifle that nagging worm of doubt. When we were younger it seemed quite natural to be a part of the Gang – I’ll admit we took a certain pleasure in our much-vaunted exclusivity, although looking back this did seem rather at her whim. Only now do I think of those left out – was it background? Appearance? Brains? Who knows? We were quite content to let her decide.

I do, now, regret following her to such an extent – in retrospect I can see how that first year set the pattern for our school career. I suppose she was something different, a breath of fresh air – I can remember how we all, back then, admired her trick of treating staff as equals, even if it did come as a bit of a shock. We never let ourselves recognise that perhaps, just sometimes, there might be better ways of doing things.

Don’t get me wrong – I like her very much: how could I not? She’s the nearest I have to a best friend, and although I’ve always known it was a slightly unequal friendship I’ve never really minded – after all, I’ve had Hilary, Lesley and the rest too. I know her faults (I do sometimes wonder whether she truly knows mine), chief among them a tendency to assume she’s right. Yet she’s kind, caring, acts from the best of intentions and is fiercely loyal to her friends. Which makes me feel all the more guilty for my intermittent bouts of jealousy.

There’s no doubt she’s a better Head Girl than I would have been; she has that inner assurance that marks out true leaders, and although I’m not exactly lacking in confidence, it’s not the same thing. I can’t help thinking, though, that she may not find it quite so easy next year. We’ve talked about the future – real “best friend” chats as well as more general discussions – and as far as I can see, she’s expecting university to be a continuation of school, or at least of St Mildred’s, whereas I’m beginning to have some idea from Julie and Betsy of just how sheltered a life we lead here. I would never admit it to anyone, but I’m glad we’re destined for different places: I feel I’m ready for new challenges, and sometimes I think she’s never quite outgrown the Gang. I think we’ll always remain friends – indeed, I hope so – but I don’t think things will, or should, be the same.

And now? Guilt for thinking this about a good friend; doubts as to my true sentiments; apprehension about whether I will, after all these years, be able to strike out on my own. Above all, though, a sense of times changing, and a growing resolve that whatever happens, I will be myself.

#2: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England

Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2005 11:26 pm

Thank you Beth

That was wonderful

Liz

#3: Author: Josie, Location: London

Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2005 11:35 pm

Thanks Beth - fascinating insight.

#4: Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent

Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2005 5:29 am

Excellnet Beth, can just see Vi thinking all of that.

Yhank you.

#5: Author: Alice, Location: London, England

Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2005 7:38 am

That was wonderful Beth, thank you.

#6: Author: Nell, Location: London, England

Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2005 8:44 am

Wonderful, thank you Beth. Especially love the fact she wants to remain true to herself.

#7: Author: Katie, Location: A Yorkshire lass in London

Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2005 9:27 am

Very insightful. Thanks Beth.

#8: Author: MaryR, Location: Sale Cheshire

Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2005 9:52 am

That was very emotive and very perceptive, Beth. Thank you.

#9: Author: Mia, Location: London

Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2005 9:59 am

Thanks Beth, I think Vi's thoughts are very realistic. Is this a one-off or are you going to make it a full length drabble?
Very Happy

#10: Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent, England

Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2005 12:04 pm

Thanks, Beth. I hope you write more of this. It's really good to see things from Vi's POV.

#11: Author: aitchemelle, Location: West Sussex

Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2005 12:12 pm

Thank you Beth! That was great Very Happy

#12: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2005 1:27 pm

Great, Beth, thanks.

#13: Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!!

Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2005 2:16 pm

Thanks Beth that was fascinating to see Vi's thoughts.

#14: Re: My Best Friend Author: Ann, Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, England

Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2005 5:01 pm

BethC wrote:

I know her faults (I do sometimes wonder whether she truly knows mine)

Interesting point - Mary-Lou is such a forceful personality it may well have been possible for her satellites to keep aspects of themselves hidden from her. Excellent drabble, Beth.

#15: Author: Helen P, Location: Crewe, Cheshire

Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2005 9:54 pm

Thankyou Beth, that is excellent. Very realistic.

#16: Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries

Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2005 12:39 am

Thanks Beth - I really feel like I "know" Vi know

#17: Author: Lyanne, Location: Ipswich, England

Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2005 6:45 am

I'm glad Vi realises the outside world is different from school - sometimes one wonders how they will cope. I don't think Vi quite right to say

Quote:

There’s no doubt she’s a better Head Girl than I would have been

although Mary-Lou has more assurance, had she not gone to the school and Vi continued to be Form Prefect as she went up the school, she would have developed that confidence herself. But I can understand her thinking that!

#18: Author: Amanda M, Location: Wakefield

Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2005 8:18 am

This was a wonderful insight into Vi's thoughts. Thanks Beth.

Star Wars

#19: Author: Kim, Location: Tipperary, Ireland

Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2005 9:36 pm

although Vi drops out of sight once she leaves school I reckon from this drabble that she will survive very nicely as she has her head wll screwed on and has the experiences of her sisters to help her

would be interesting to see a bit more of this

thanks

#20: Author: Róisín, Location: Galway, Eire

Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2005 7:14 am

Thanks Beth, this was a lovely read.

Very poignant too, as EBD didn't really promote Vi as her own self, rather than a sidekick to ML. And she's always been one of my favourite characters - I always suspected she thought like this - and you've confirmed it!

How about an extra-long drabble then Wink

#21: Author: BethC, Location: Worcester, UK

Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2005 6:21 pm

No, sorry, that was definitely all! But thanks, everyone, for the nice comments Embarassed

. I always thought Vi might have a bit more adaptability than OOAO, once she'd left school, particularly as she must have discussed things with the older members of her family (sisters and cousins).

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