all ages
Fighting Siblings
by Brittany
"Trixie, you’re going to miss the bus," called Helen Belden up the stairs.
"Coming," called Trixie Belden running down the stairs holding her brother Bobby’s hand.
She ran out the door just in time for Bobby's bus. Once her brother was safe and sound riding on the bus to school she starting running as fast as she could to her bus. She was halfway to the bus when she remembered she had forgotten her algebra book. She ran as fast as she could into the house, grabbed her algebra book off the kitchen table and ran to the bus. She got their just in time the bus was getting ready to go. She got on the bus and walked to the back of the bus to sit with her friends.
"Trix, we thought that you wouldn't make it," said Honey as Trixie sat down next to her.
"Looks like my sleuthing sibling was running a bit late," said Mart.
"Try getting Bobby ready every morning, something you don't do," retorted Trixie.
"Ah, but you see, squaw, I saw you running into the house to get a book--probably your Lucy Snotgrass," said Mart.
"It is Lucy Radcliffe, thank you, and I went into the house to get my algebra book," fumed Trixie.
Trixie thought she was about to cry when she was saved by the bus coming to a stop in front of Sleepyside Junior-Senior high school. She walked off the bus without any of her friends save one seeing her nearly teary-eyed. She thought that no one noticed anything, but Honey’s adopted brother Jim Frayne walked up behind Trixie and whispered in her ear, "What’s wrong, Trix?”
"Nothing," she lied.
He didn't seem to be satisfied, but didn't pursue her further knowing that she wouldn't tell him.
"Come on, Trix,” called Honey. “We’re going to miss algebra."
Trixie groaned in reply and followed Honey and Di to their algebra class.
Sleepyside Junior-Senior School Canteen
Trixie walked to the Bob-Whites’ usual table where Mart, Dan, Di, Honey, Brian, and Jim were already seated.
"How was algebra?" said Dan grinning.
"Don’t even ask," groaned Trixie. "I will never understand it as long as I live.” She groaned again. The others just laughed.
"The way you go around chasing criminals I wouldn’t think you’d live that long," teased Mart.
Trixie gave him a nasty look and was about to give him a smart comment when she stopped. She didn't want to get into a fight with Mart because she didn't want to get teary and draw attention to herself, especially from Jim. "Sorry, I have to get something before class," said Trixie, standing up to leave.
Jim gave her a suspicious look. Something is not right, he thought. He didn’t like Trixie sad; Trixie was one of his best friends. Yeah, just a friend. He liked Trixie more than a friend. He wanted to ask her out, but he didn't know if she felt the same. He didn't want to jeopardize their friendship.
Sighing, he went back to his lunch.
Meanwhile, Trixie ran down the corridors without stopping or looking. She ran into the girls’ toilets, sat on a toilet seat, and put her head in her hands. What am I going to do? If I can face criminals, I can face him. Right? Right, she told herself in a very doubtful tone. She left the bathroom and walked to her next class.
Crabapple Farm
"Moms, we’re home!" yelled Trixie as she and her brothers walked into the house.
"I think she heard you, little sister," said Mart.
Trixie gave him the evil eye. At least he’s not speaking in four syllable words, thought Trixie.
The thought had barely gone by, when Mart began a torrent of teasing with big words. She groaned. I jinxed myself.
"Do you know, I can’t understand you, so go eat another dictionary,” said Trixie.
"Well, you go eat one of your Lucy Snotgrass books. Maybe then you won’t get into as much trouble with your mysteries," retorted Mart.
Trixie took this hard and she tried to hold back the tears. " I do not get into trouble," fumed Trixie, her temper rising.
" You do so! Getting kidnapped all the time and getting Honey kidnapped, too."
"Well, at least what I choose to do for fun is helping people. Yours of using big words is just annoying," retorted Trixie; it was getting harder to hold back her tears.
"Well, at least mine doesn't get me in trouble," said Mart. "I don’t even know how the others put up with you." Then, he added, "I don’t know how I put up with you."
This was too much. "MARTIN BELDEN, YOU MAY THINK IT’S FUNNY TO TEASE ME-- SOMETIMES IT IS-- BUT YOU GO TOO FAR! I’VE HAD ENOUGH!" she yelled at the top of her voice, tears falling freely down her cheeks. She ran out the door sobbing.
Mart stared at the door stunned.
Brian was angry. "Mart, she's right you know," he said. "I’ve seen her close to tears when you tease her--usually, she holds them back, but I guess this time it was too much."
Mart, still stunned, managed to say in a small voice, "Should we go after her?"
"No, I think she needs some time to herself," answered Brian. "But I don't know if she will ever forgive you."
Mart sat down with his head in his hands. He was fighting back tears. "I didn't know she felt that way. I didn't know," he murmured.
* * *
After Trixie ran out the door, she ran all the way to the game preserve. She didn't know where she was going-- she just kept running into the preserve. Eventually, she stopped and sank down to the ground, resting her back against a tree while choking back sobs. I can't take it anymore! He makes me so sad and angry. Maybe what he says is true. Maybe I do get into too much trouble. Maybe the Bob-Whites do find it hard to put up with me. I probably ruined all their vacations by getting into mysteries. Maybe I was really selfish. Fresh tears started to fall down her cheeks. She put her head down and cried.
* * *
Jim rode through the game preserve on Jupiter. He was admiring the birds above when he heard it, a sob, very close. He cautiously rode to the sound, wondering who it could be.
Please, not be Trixie. Please, not be Trixie, he pleaded in his head. His heart caught in his chest when he saw the back of someone with blonde curly hair. Oh God, it;s Trixie. He dismounted Jupiter. Trixie didn't seem to hear. He walked slowly to the tree she had her back against. He stepped on a stick making it snap and causing Trixie to jump.
She looked around. It’s just Jim, she thought in relief. But her relief only lasted for a second. Oh no, he can see me. She put her head down.
Jim came up to her and sat beside her. He put one arm around her shoulder.
"Trix, What’s wrong?" he asked.
She tried to tell him, but nothing came out.
Jim thought for a moment, then it hit him. "It’s Mart, isn't it?"
She looked at him funny. "How did you know?" she asked.
"Well, I saw you get teary-eyed at school and how you left the canteen table after Mart made that comment. I just put two and two together."
"I think you’ve been hanging out with Honey and me for too long," said Trixie with a small smile. Then she thought of what she just said and burst into tears.
"Trix, what did he say?" said Jim quietly.
Trixie related her argument with Mart bursting into tears at parts.
"Oh, Trix, he didn't mean those things--he was only teasing," said Jim reassuringly.
" But, Jim," she argued. "I probably ruined all the Bob-Whites' vacations by getting into mysteries. I was really selfish."
"You don't ruin the Bob-Whites' vacations, you help people. That's what Bob-Whites do. Sure, we get awfully worried about you, but you made our vacations more exciting." He smiled.
"Thanks," Trixie murmured, resting her head on Jim’s shoulder. "Jim," Trixie said quietly.
"Yeah," he answered. "The thing that made me the most sad was the fact that I have been kidnapped by gun dealers, threatened by jewel thieves, and I’ve had a gun pointed at my head countless times, and not once did I get scared, not once did I cry. And then when my own brother teases me, I start crying and I feel so scared, sad and alone." Her last words were barely a whisper.
"Trix, you will never be alone. The Bob-Whites and I will always be there for you."
"Jim, how do you put up with me?" asked Trixie. "The truth."
It’s now or never, he thought before answering. "Trix, I put up with you because you're more than a friend to me. I’ve wanted to kiss you ever since I woke up to see you looking down at me in that old mansion. Trixie, I’m in love with you."
Trixie didn't know what shocked her more: the fact that he felt the same way about her that she felt for him or the fact that he had the guts to say it.
Jim just stared at her waiting for a response. Please, don't hate me. Please, feel the same way.
After the shock wore off on Trixie, she turned and looked deep into his eyes before replying. "Jim, I didn't think that you felt the same way about me that I felt about you. It was so hard seeing Di and Mart, and Brian and Honey date. I wished so much that it was you and me." She had fresh tears going down her cheeks, but now they were tears of joy.
Jim hugged her tight. "Trixie, could we officially be a couple?" asked Jim.
"Thought you would never ask," said Trixie. "And guess what,” she added, "you don't have to wait any longer for that kiss." She captured his lips in a long, deep kiss. It lasted long until finally the came up for air.
"Wow," murmured Jim.
"You can say that again," Trixie murmured back.
"I love you, Trixie Belden," he said huskily.
"I love you, Jim Frayne," she replied.
They sat in each other's arms for hours until Trixie broke the silence by saying, "I think I’m going to have to forgive Mart."
Jim grinned. "I think we should go back," he said.
"Oh, okay," Trixie said reluctantly.
They both walked back to the Manor House stables hand in hand, Jim leading Jupiter.
* * *
Trixie lay in bed thinking of the events of the day.
She had had a major fight with Mart.
Jim had comforted her.
Jim had asked her out.
She said yes.
She had forgiven Mart.
Jim and she had told the Bob-Whites about their new relationship.
The Bob-Whites had been happy for them and they all watched a movie together.
The day was like a dream, she thought before drifting off to sleep.
The End