Maria clutched teddy, as she chose to call the brown, red teddy bear her father had given her right before he died of a severe disease not known to her as the doctors thought it better for her not to know. Her eyes red stung by the salty flow of tears. Her teddy was the only thing that could comfort her. Her only true friend. At least, until Rolly came in.

So here's how it all started... It was about nine years ago. Maria was but a girl of seven. All her life it had been just her father. The only one who really cared for her. Her mother ignored her because of her *non-resemblance*to her. She looked more like her father. So you can understand having this toy was her only way to feel like her dad was right there. She had this toy for nine years now which to her seemed to be a life time. ' It was in the dead of the seventh day since her father had that illness. The day she had turned seven. He had given it to her as his last gift while he still lived. Before he flat- Lined, she remembered him grabbing her hands and forcing out words "It's gonna be alright honey. I'll get up soon and we'll be happy. Even if I don't, mother would be here. Life would go on. Now, I want you to take care of your mother despite what happens" he grimaced as if pierced by something sharp. But seeing the worried and frightened look on her face he grinned weakly. She was ignorant, little, carefree. If she had known that she was speaking to her dad for the last time since had been born I would have cherished the moment. She did. At least she thought she did. She waited till he was done talking. She smiled and chuckled then said "Silly father, you're not going anywhere. You're going to stay With me always and I with you"

Her mother stood some space away, glaring at smile sickened. She thought of how Maria could still be smiling even through this difficult time. She somehow wished she could smile too, but she couldn't. She let a drop off tear roll down her rosy cheeks. She's a pretty woman, bathed in aires and grace. She wore no makeup. No glistening red lip gloss, nor cat eye liner and finally not even powder. Finally, she forced on a smile glancing one more time at her husband direction she saw everyone gather her husband. She wondered what was happening. Till she heard the doctor say "Clear! Load it full!"

"But doctor... "

" Just do it nurse! "

" Clear! Okay let's call it. He's gone. Time of death '9:00pm'. Where's the deceased's wife?"

There after, distant cries started hitting her, she had been lost in her own world moments before. Maria was holding her father's hand refusing to let go or accept that he was dead. Her blue eyes filled with a salty flow of tears, she looked up at her mother who was crying too then back at her motionless father. The horror. She searched for answers but found none. There lying on her father's chest was a gift box. Had she missed that, she wondered. She lifted it, unwrapped it and saw the teddy bear. Her father knew he was going to die. 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEARIE'. It read. But that was all in the past.

After the death of her father, she started seeing her real mother. A really considerate and caring woman who loves her children and considering the fact that she was the only child she gave her all the love and attention leaving the bothersome fact that she felt they had no resemblance. If you ask me I'd say she only used that as an excuse to not feel bad that her only daughter loved her father more.' Today was her movie night, when she sat on her bed in her room all alone watching romantic movies, clutching tightly in her hands teddy and sipping out of a cup of juice. People would wonder why she would still have a teddy at her age. She was not too young nor too old she'd tell them. They'd then suggest her changing the name to something more mature, cooler and realistic. Her face would tighten up, her eyes would narrow, then she would finally mutter 'He's had that name since I got him' and you could tell by the tone in her voice that she was determined to keep it that way. You'd think this stubborn girl was all alone and had no friends... Wrong. You see, that's why people like her. You can't control her. She's really not the gullible type of child. She grew up as an only child and surprisingly isn't spoilt. You'd think she was popular but she never liked the idea anyway. She prefers the somewhat true type of friends. She got to a school popularly known as 'Winchester High'. Her whole educational life was based there. 'Winchester Elementary, Winchester Middle school, Winchester Junior High and now Winchester High'. She is just entering into her senior year. And then you'll ask why they need to separate junior high from high. No offense, I'm just telling a story here. She doesn't tell people much about her life. In fact the only person who truly knows her is Her best friend Rolly Bernamund. Rolly is from England. She stayed there till she was done with middle school. So you can say Maria and Rolly have only been best friends since junior high. Now movie night is her night of remembrance. She put it on every Tuesday because Tuesdays are the usual days mom and her new boyfriend talked. This was no normal talk.

Once, Maria had accidentally ease dropped on them once. They were talking about marriage and children. Maria didn't like that. Well, you can't blame her. She was in her pajamas which had monkey patterns all over it. Its cream and brown shades made it look attracted with long sleeves. Maria didn't know what called her to romance movies but she sure did like it. Her best was 'Cruel love' the love portrayed by Mexican people. She also had a burning like for horrors.