One of the things I miss the most about Via’s friendship is her family. I loved her mom and dad. They were always so welcoming and nice to me. I knew they loved their kids more than anything. I always felt safe around them: safer than anywhere else in the world. How pathetic that I felt safer in someone else’s house than in my own, right? And, of course, I loved Auggie. I was never afraid of him: even when I was little. I had friends that couldn’t believe I’d ever go over to Via’s house. “His face creeps me out,” they’d say. “You’re stupid,” I’d tell them. Auggie’s face isn’t so bad once you get used to it.
I called Via’s house once just to say hello to Auggie. Maybe part of me was hoping Via would answer, I don’t know.
“Hey, Major Tom!” I said, using my nickname for him.
“Miranda!” He sounded so happy to hear my voice it actually kind of took me by surprise. “I’m going to a regular school now!” he told me excitedly.
“Really? Wow!” I said, totally shocked. I guess I never thought he’d go to a regular school. His parents have always been so protective of him. I guess I thought he’d always be that little kid in the astronaut helmet I gave him. Talking to him, I could tell he had no idea that Via and I weren’t close anymore. “It’s different in high school,” I explained to him. “You end up hanging out with loads of different people.”
“I have some friends in my new school,” he told me. “A kid named Jack and a girl named Summer.”
“That’s awesome, Auggie,” I said. “Well, I was just calling to tell you I miss you and hope you’re having a good year. Feel free to call me whenever you want, okay, Auggie? You know I love you always.”
“I love you, too, Miranda!”
“Say hi to Via for me. Tell her I miss her.” “I will. Bye!”
“Bye!”
