Sonia was a loner just because she wasn't from a wealthy family. No kids from her neighbourhood want to associate with her. They believed her family had been cursed; you would not blame the kids. That was what they heard their parents discuss, so they believed it.
That Halloween night, Sonia wandered down the street alone. Dressed in her gypsy clothes and humming her favourite song from her favourite Halloween TV show. Her tiny little box jiggled with coins, and candies she had made moving from door to door.
After minutes of knocking on different fours, she found herself at the edge of the town. But something piqued her interest. Deep in the woods was a yellowish glow and smoke from a campfire, plus a faint sound of music. Out of curiosity, she moved further to find out what it was.
Gradually she approached the flickering lights cautiously. She peeked through the trees and saw a group of humans dressed as she was gathered around a campfire with music and dancing going on. Their caravans serve as barricades for them.
"Real gypsies," she whispered.
A little attempt from her to adjust, intrigued by what she was seeing, she stepped on a twig making a sound. They all turned to see her hidden by the corner. Sonia tried to scamper away but was called back by one of the gypsies, a lady
"Wait little one. Don't go join us?" She offered, coming closer with her open arms.
"I'm sorry for intruding. I mean no harm; I was just about to leave," Sonia apologiszed with fear written all over her.
"Don't apologize. We mean no harm, too," the gypsy lady said. "We have enough candies and coins for you for Halloween; come", she offered.
Sonia hesitated but later joined them. She couldn't believe she was sitting with real gypsies. She had seen a lot of them in the movies but never thought they were real.
She was welcomed with smiles from the other gypsies. They offered her a hot chocolate drink to keep her warm and played lovely tunes. The scent of grilled meat filled the air. Soon, Sonia found herself relaxed.
They told her tales of their far travels and adventures. And Sonia, out of curiosity, Kept asking questions, which the kind gypsy lady made sure to answer all.
"Would you like to dance?" The gypsy lady asked, extending her hand to Sonia as the music became more intense.
Sonia nodded and set her candy down. She took the lady's hands and joined them on the dance floor. Swaying her hips left and right. Laughter and smiles on her face a feeling she never thought she would experience at all that day.
She lost track of time but was reminded by the gypsy lady.
"You must get home now little one"
Sonia checked her watch and discovered it was already too late. Past her bedtime, "I must get going. My mum must be worried", she replied and made to leave. Then she paused and ran back to the lady and hugged her tight. "I've never had a Halloween night so fun. That's because nobody wants to be friends with me. Thank you for being my friend" she added.
There was silence from the gypsy lady who only hugged her back.
"You didn't say anything. We're friends now right?"
The lady quickly untangled herself and knelt before Sonia. "Of course we are," she said with an emotional voice. "We're best of friends. It's just that you remind me of my daughter I lost to sickness" she added.
"I'm sorry to hear that" Sonia apologized**, wiping a tear that trickled down the lady's eye with the back of her hands.
"I'll tell you what, we leave tomorrow night. How about you meet me here tomorrow morning, friend"
Sonia nodded and ran off into the woods back to the city.
She met the gypsy lady just as they had agreed the next day. And that was the beginning of a great friendship. Although the lady left later in the evening, she made sure to give Sonia a number to contact her always with.