Dear diary, I got them new ones.

Danny didn’t want my help at first, but now that they’re actually smiling at their phone, it was definitely worth it. I might have tagged along to Danny’s school fete on Saturday. Danny insisted that I didn’t have to go and that the only reason they were going was because it was compulsory. But I wasn’t about to let the opportunity pass. Mum was surprisingly happy about it when I told her Friday night.

She turned to Dad and whispered, “We’re seeing Dr Tarlen Saturday.”

“Why?” Danny asked. At Mum’s shocked face, they said. “You whisper loudly.”

“I’ve been feeling a little unwell lately,” Mum said. “Maybe I’ve gotten what Emma had.”

“But Emma wasn’t sick,” Danny said.

“Your mum’s been having these lapses in memory all day. That’s why we’re heading in tomorrow,” Dad said.

Danny raised an eyebrow and sunk into their seat. “That or she’s getting worse at lying and you’re just covering it up.”

“Why would they lie?” I asked.

“Maybe they just want us out of the house so they can go on a date somewhere,” Danny said.

Dad and Mum shared a look before leaving the dining room.

Danny frowned. “And I just gave them the perfect cover.”

“Why don’t you believe them?”

“Because Mum’s always paranoid about your health and it has to come from somewhere.”

It’s times like those that I can’t think of Danny as a ten-year-old. They sound so mature all the time; it’s like they were forced to suddenly grow up and left me behind. I know we sound weird compared to other kids, but that’s because of Dad’s insistence that we learn lots of words like him. Danny’s maturity compared to mine probably wasn’t helped because I said something very immature.

“Maybe you’re the one that’s paranoid about Mum. You’re just reaching for reasons why she’s always in the wrong because she made one mistake.”

“One mistake,” Danny repeated. “If she made one mistake then I would’ve forgiven her months ago. My problem isn’t how she reacted, it’s how she keeps reacting to different things every single day. Just look at how she treats Penelope, a person so fundamentally different from her. If I wasn’t Mum’s child, she’d treat me the same way.”

They sounded so sure, so certain of it, that I couldn’t help looking away. “I’m sorry.”

“Then don’t come to this fete.”

“I’m not backing out now.”

The only thing that stopped Danny from leaving without me Saturday morning was a stern look from Dad. Penelope waved at us from her porch as we left and Danny managed a smile until we were out of sight. I knew they were angry at me, but they still hadn’t given a reason why I shouldn’t have come. We walked to Danny’s school in silence. I think it ended up being some sort of competition to see who could stand the sheer quietness the longest.

I lost. “Why don’t you want me there?”

“I already told you. I can take care of my own problems.”

“How is this a problem?”

Danny looked at me like I was stupid. “Everyone at the fete is going to be running around with their friends to all the attractions. Before the texts, I thought I’d be just like them. I thought I had friends. But today just proves me wrong. Today, I get to run around with my big sister because I chose the wrong friends.”

“It’s still early in the term. We can find you new friends.”

“Nobody wants to talk to the kid who got her old friends suspended, even if it wasn’t their fault.” Danny smiled bitterly. “It’s not like it matters. We’ll end up moving after second term.”

“We’re not moving anymore. Mum and Dad promised.”

“They promise a lot of things. It doesn’t mean anything.”

“Then I promise that we aren’t moving again, even if I have to fight Mum and Dad for it.”

Danny smiled. “I don’t think you’d win.”

“Well if I had my good friend and sibling to help me then we’d stand a chance.” I pulled on their hand. “Let’s enjoy today.”

“Fine, but if you get embarrassing I’ll have to ditch you.”

“I was in primary school last year, Danny. How embarrassing could I possibly be?”

It took twenty minutes for me to answer that question for myself. Danny had to work at their class’ stand and I thought it’d be a great idea to get them an ice-cream cone for when they finished. I might have temporary forgotten that it’s Summer and the February heat might have melted the ice-cream a little. When I handed it to Danny the ice-cream slipped back and drenched my hand.

Danny laughed, loudly. I’m pretty sure the entire school oval could hear them. Their classmates at the stand joined in the laughter. I awkwardly offered Danny my cone instead. They sobered for a moment, reached for the cone, then burst into laughter again.

“I don’t think you deserve this anymore,” I said.

Danny snatched the cone away and darted back. “I’m sure you can tip yours back onto the cone.”

I carefully do that, but my hand is still sticky. “I’m going to find somewhere to wash this off.”

Danny nodded, badly holding back a grin.

When I came back they were talking with their classmates, laughing, probably at me, and oblivious to everything else. I stood back and ate my ice-cream. There was no way I was going to interrupt Danny making friends. After a little while, Danny turned around and saw me. They grinned at me and strode over.

“Where’d you want to go next?” they asked.

“Don’t you want to stay with your friends?”

“Nah, I’ll see them more on Monday. You’re already here. Plus, you did get me ice-cream, even if-.”

“You’re never going to forget this, are you?”

“Nope.”

True to their word, the second we got home, Danny told Mum and Dad about it. None of them have lasted a meal without bringing it up. I guess if it helped Danny make friends, then it’s worth it. I just hope nobody in my class has younger siblings too. I don’t think it’ll help me make friends like Danny.