Apparently an idiom the girl had never learned. Meredith chuckled. “It means I had to keep things running at home. I had to make sure the laundry was done and groceries bought and food cooked and kitchen cleaned. Like the things Mrs. Warner does for you. I saw my friends doing fun things I couldn’t either because my family couldn’t afford it or because I didn’t have the time. And I started to get a real attitude.” She paused, hoping to get some reassurance that this was actually getting through to Kat. “Do you understand what I’m saying?”
“Maybe.”
“It’s like I’d been dealt a real crummy hand, and it wasn’t fair. I know your mom died when you were only eight. That’s even younger than I was when my mom died. And you had a baby brother you really helped care for. I’m sure he came to depend on you a lot. I’m guessing you were like a mother to him. Even now, when you two fight like cats and dogs, I’ll bet he loves you more than you can imagine.” She waited again, and perhaps itwas her imagination, but she thought Kat’s gray eyes glistened ever so slightly.
“That’s a heavy load for a kid.” Meredith sighed. “I suppose I was lucky not to have any younger siblings, although it was lonely being an only child. But anyway, I’m guessing you started to resent it. Maybe as Mishka started getting big enough to be a pesky brother. A bit of a smart aleck too.” She paused again, pursing her lips. “And although you take your grievances out on him, I have a strong suspicion there’s more bugging you, Kat.”
She took a long slow breath, reminding herself not to push too hard or too fast. “You know, I’ve been a teacher for long enough to know how hard kids can be on each other. The bullying I’ve seen with girls your age is unbelievable. But I supposed that you, being a member of the royal family, wouldn’t be victim to that. That as Princess Katerina, you’d get more respect.”
“That shows how little you know.”
“Seriously?” Meredith acted surprised, although she really wasn’t. “Are there girls at your school who are mean to you?”
“You have no idea. No one does.” She punched her pillow.
“Jealousy is often a factor in bullying. Do you think girls might be jealous of your royal heritage?”
She shrugged, but her eyes seemed to confirm it. “I don’t know.”
“They could be jealous of your athletic skills.”
“Maybe.”
“Or maybe they’re just mean? I’ve seen some girls, especially in your age group, that are brutal. Just for the fun of it.”
Kat’s eyes lit up. “That’s what it feels like at times.”
“I’m sorry to hear it.” Meredith moved over to sit on her bed, placing a hand on Kat’s shoulder. “You don’t deserve that. And I wish there was a way to make them stop, but I have a feeling itmay be useless. You can’t change their behavior, but maybe you could change your own.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, do you have any good friends at your school? You know, girls you trust, who have your back?”
She glumly shook her head.
“Then you need to gather a few. Not too many though. In fact, just one for starters. A sincere girl. Probably one who looks lonely, like she could use a friend. There must be girls like that, right?”
“Yeah, probably.”
“So you find that girl, but here’s the trick. Instead of expecting her to be your BFF, try to become a good friend to her. And, really, you’ll be surprised at what a difference that can make. Two together are stronger than one alone. And then both of you reach out to another girl, and maybe a fourth since a trio of female friends can present its own trouble. Too easy for two to side against one. Four is a better number.”
“Three new friends? You make it sound so easy.”
“I know it probably seems like it’s not, but really it’s just a matter of taking the right steps. Like I said, start with one. And make yourself friendly to her. I wonder if you could even do some of the footwork this summer.” Meredith pointed to Kat’s nearby cell phone. “If you could connect with someone on your phone—you know, just start a friendly texting conversation or whatever the trending mode of communication is—you may be surprised at the foundation you could have built by fall. Maybe you could even plan to meet up. Invite a guest to come here. I’d be okay with that.”
“Who would want to talk to me let alone come out here to the villa?”
“Oh, Kat, you are so mistaken. You’re a fun witty girl, and you’re a great athlete. If you just add some kind friendlinessto that, you’ll have no problem. And the villa is a great place. There’s so much to do here.” Meredith smiled. “If I were a girl and you were reaching out to me, I’d be jumping for joy. In fact, I’ve been trying to be your friend for nearly two weeks now, and sometimes I think I’m just banging my head against the wall.”
Kat looked surprised. “Really?”
“Absolutely. No offense, but you can be pretty cold at times.”
“No, I mean, do you reallywantto be my friend?”
“Of course. I realize I need to act like a guardian too, but I don’t see why it can’t be on a friendly basis. It would make the summer more fun for both of us.”
The dinner bell rang, and for a moment they both just sat in silence.
