My Buddy Diary
By Bindy Mackenzie
Wednesday, midnight
How is the Buddy Plan working for me? Why, perfectly, thank you. I don’t know how I ever got by without it.
Of course, the Buddy Plan only began today so it might be too early to tell. But I’m convinced my life will change for the better having Finnegan Blonde for a friend. He’s new at the school and has already made some ‘buddies’ of his own, and yet . . . something tells me he’ll rush to me whenever he needs someone to talk to. I expect us to have midnight feasts, ride on seesaws together, and tell each other our secrets. (I also expect the sky to rain silver pennies.)
Am I being honest with my buddy? Well, today, he asked what ‘troubled’ me. I said that I excel at so many subjects I worry my talents may be diluted.
He tried to look sympathetic, but when your eyebrows want to jump up off your forehead, there’s not much you can do to stop them.
At least, when he asked about a ‘happy time’ for me, I told him that sometimes, when I play the piano, my little cousin comes in and dances around the living room, and shouts, ‘Keep the music! Keep the music!’ as soon as I stop playing. Finnegan’s eyebrows calmed at this. I showed him the photos of Bella which I keep on my mobile phone. Bella has a sweet, round face. She has dark hair cut into a short, shiny bob, and she always wears denim overalls: some with flowers embroidered at the knees, others with brightly coloured patches. Finnegan scrolled through the photos patiently.
‘And what’s going on here?’ he said, at one point.
‘That’s just an illusion,’ I explained. ‘My brother, Anthony, was walking down the stairs when I took the photo so it looks like he’s kicking Bella in the head. But he’s not. My brother would never do that.’
‘Your brother would never kick Bella in the head,’ Finnegan repeated, nodding. I noticed the mist of a smile.
The strangest thing happened at that moment: I almost told him the secret about Anthony. It has been troubling me. But I was silent.
When it came time to set me a ‘buddy challenge’, he told me I had to take a kickboxing class.
The Buddy Contract
What is your buddy’s name?
Finnegan A. Blonde
Ask your buddy for his/her phone number—now program the number into your mobile phone!
What is something that troubles your buddy?
He forgot to bring an umbrella today.
When is a ‘happy time’ for your buddy?
Night time,
Ask your buddy a question of your choosing. Put the question and his/her answer here.
I asked Finnegan how his Marks were at his old school last year, His response was as follows: ‘Last year Was not a great year.’
Set your buddy a worthwhile challenge for the year ahead. Write the challenge here.
I have challenged Finnegan to improve his marks this year.
Get your buddy to add his name and signature to this declaration:
I Finnegan A. Blonde solemnly and sincerely promise that I will always turn to my buddy when I need someone to talk to—night or day, rain or shine, thunder, lightning, or avalanche . . .
Signed: Finnegan A. Blonde
Now get your buddy to add his name and signature to this declaration:
I Finnegan A. Blonde solemnly and sincerely promise that I will always be available for my buddy if he/she needs someone to talk to—night or day, rain or shine, thunder, lightning or avalanche . . .
Signed: Finnegan A. Blonde