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Then everything would shift All was forgiven and Lillian and Clara would be best friends again Clara was invited back into the shelter that was Lillian

"When did you first suspect?" Gamache asked

"Suspect what?"

"That Lillian was not your friend"

It was the first time she’d heard the words out loud Said so clearly, so siht Clara the needy, clu it Lillian the strong, self-reliant one Forgiving her Picking up the pieces

Until, one day

"It was near the end of high school Most girls fell out over boys or cliques, or just s Teachers and parents think those classrooms and hallways are filled with students but they’re not They’re filled with feelings Bu each other It’s horrible"

Clarain the sun Now she folded them across her stomach

"Things were going well for Lillian and me There didn’t seem the wild ups and downs anymore Then one day in art class our favorite teacher complimented ood in, the only one I really cared about, though I did quite well in English and history But art was my passion And Lillian’s too We’d bounce ideas off each other I see noere really h I didn’t know the term then I even remember the piece the teacher liked It was a chair with a bird perched on it"

Clara had turned to Lillian, happy Eager to catch her friend’s eye It had been a small compliment A tiny triumph She’d wanted to share it with the only other person who’d understand

And she had But But In that instant before the s else A wariness

And then the supportive, happy smile So fast Clara al not really there

That once again, it was her fault