The two girls staggered into the kitchen after an hour of hard work. The backyard was now free of rubbish and filth. Juliet poured drinking water into two tall glasses and carried them to the table. Tania who was already seated grabbed one and gulped the water. Juliet sat down and followed suit.

"I was dying," She remarked, shaking her head and placing the glass on the table. "I'm so tired."

"Me too," Juliet agreed, standing up to take the glasses to the sink.

"Hi Juliet," Cooper, Tania's brother sauntered into the kitchen.

"What's up, Cooper?" Juliet turned and leaned against the counter.

"Nothing much," He said, opening the fridge. "You guys look like extras on the walking dead."

"Shut up, Cooper." His sister ran a hand through her hair.

"Oh, someone's grumpy." Cooper poured Apple juice into a glass. "Why don't you be like Juliet? She's nice, sweet and pretty."

"I'm not pretty?" Tania asked, standing up to attack Cooper who pushed her off his way as he went back to the living room.

"You're alright," he told her.

"Jerk," Tania muttered. "Let's go to my room and get ready to go to Victoria's."

"Good idea," Juliet agreed and the two girls started moving. Before they reached the door, Tania's mother came and stood at the door, blocking them.

"Not so fast," She said. "Wait here."

Mrs Eyck walked to the backdoor and looked out. "Well done." She said, smiling at the girls.

"Now clear those dishes," She pointed to the sink. "You know I don't like a messy kitchen."

Tania groaned. "Mom, Victoria and the other girls from school are waiting for us. We need to go now."

"Then hurry up," Mrs Eyck said, walking away. Juliet headed to the counter, followed by Tania.

"You just don't want to see us happy," Tania complained. Her mother stopped walking and turned her head.

"Why don't you be like Juliet?" Her mother asked

Silence reigned after that. Juliet washed and rinsed the dishes then handed them to Tania who dried and placed them on the rack. Juliet hated it when Tania's family members compared the two of them because it made Tania sad. She didn't want to lose Tania's friendship because of her family.

"I hate this family," Tania said when they heard soft footsteps. They turned their heads to see Shailene, Tania's little sister, holding a plain sheet of paper with one hand and a pencil with the other.

"Hi Juliet," she smiled, innocently then turned to Tania. "When you're done, come and help me with my drawing project. You're so good at drawing."

"No," Tania growled.

"She's-" Juliet began.

"I'm not joking," Tania crouched before Shailene. "Go ask Marcus or Cooper."

"Cooper and Marcus will yell at me."

"I don't care," Tania yelled and Juliet gasped.

"You yelled at me?" Shailene started crying. Juliet dried her hands and went to comfort her.

"What's going on?" Mrs Eyck, Cooper and Marcus appeared. "Oh sweet Shai." Their mother grabbed Shailene and held her.

"What's wrong, baby?"

"Tania won't help me," the little girl answered.

"Of course she will," The mother wiped away tears on Shailene's face.

"Mom, I have to go to-"

"Shailene's room to help her," Mrs Eyck said. "Juliet is leaving. Marcus will do the remaining dishes."

"What? No." Twelve year old Marcus protested. "I don't want to do the dishes."

"But you have to," Mrs Eyck concluded and marched away. Juliet wondered why Mrs Eyck never did any housework when her husband wasn't home. Tania stomped out into the living room, followed by Cooper, Shailene, Mrs Eyck and Juliet. Juliet grabbed her cross bag from the sofa and walked out. "Have a great weekend, everyone."

"You too, Juliet." Cooper said.

"She won't be having a good weekend without me," Tania said. "Follow me, you little-"

"TANIA!"

Juliet closed the door behind her. With Tania out of the picture, there was nothing she could do but go to her home and spend the day alone. Though she was friends with almost all the girls going to the 'Girls Day In' party at Victoria's, she couldn't go without Tania. She wouldn't enjoy it.

She hummed as she ambled along the street. She greeted everyone she met, asking if they were okay, not just for formality but because she genuinely cared. She spent a few minutes talking to old Mrs Graves who was seated on a chair outside her small house.

She met Octavio near Laila Hills' home. He didn't look as sad as he usually looked.

"Hi Octavio."

"Hi Juliet," he stopped, bringing a smile to Juliet's face. It was the first time he'd stopped whenever she greeted him. "Why aren't you with Tania?"

"Tania got caught up with some stuff," She said. "We couldn't make it to the girls party."

"That must suck," He said. "Uhmm, can I have your number, Juliet. I need to talk to someone and you're the only person who ever speaks to me, apart from my mom."

"No problem," Juliet said. "Give me your phone. I'll program it in."

He gave it to her.

"Are you that desperate?" A voice asked behind Juliet. She turned. Laila Hills and Johnny, her boyfriend were walking towards them. Juliet typed in the number and gave the phone to its owner.

"Thanks," Octavio said, with a big smile and walked on.

"Hey guys," Juliet faced the couple.

"Are you missing James?" Laila asked. " I mean we all know you're nice and stuff but Octavio, really?"

"He's a nice guy. You just don't see it because you're too judgmental."

"He's a psychopath, Juliet." Johnny said as they passed by. "Don't say I didn't warn you."

Juliet remained standing for sometime before following them. She thought of how happy Octavio had been. He'd even smiled. Juliet was elated because she liked making people happy. Octavio deserved to be happy as much as everyone else. Juliet wished people could at least hide the way they felt about him or better yet forgive and forget.

It was a start, Juliet thought, Soon she and Octavio would be good friends and everyone would see the goodness in him.