Feel-Good True Story: Creepy Kelly and the Corkscrew of Terror
💖 In this short story, a twist of fate reveals the true meaning of friendship. 🎢👭
Creepy Kelly and the Corkscrew of Terror
BLOOMINGTON, MN – Today we travel from our offices in Winona, Minnesota, to the suburbs of Minneapolis, Minnesota, for a true story that happened to some students at a middle school here in the Midwest.
Told as a parable, we hope this real-life story of Creepy Kelly will bring a smile to your face. If you enjoy reading heartwarming tales like this, be sure to check out our Feel-Good Stories books or listen to Kitty’s daily Feel-Good Stories podcast. And now, on to the story of Creepy Kelly and the Corkscrew of Terror…
Creepy Kelly wasn’t a popular kid at all. And when I say “unpopular,” I mean she was flat-out bullied. All of my friends thought she was weird and that something must be wrong with her. She was eerily quiet, and looked down at the ground when people tried to make eye contact with her. Creepy Kelly carried a picture of her deceased cat in a journal she was always writing in and seemed to find solace in hiding in the shadows. Her nose was often buried in a book, especially during lunchtime.
There was a rumor around the halls at school that she couldn’t talk, that the devil had stolen her voice when she was little. Most students seemed scared of her silent nature—even the teachers avoided interactions with Creepy Kelly. They all thought if anyone tried to get her to speak, they would be cursed and lose their voice, too.
Creepy Kelly seemed to be in her own silent world. Me, by contrast? Well, I would have to say I was the opposite of Kelly. Outgoing and popular, I had my fair share of dates, a spot on the cheerleading squad, a role on the yearbook committee, and what seemed like plenty of friends. Or at least, that’s what I believed until the day Creepy Kelly showed me what it truly means to be a friend.
We were at our middle school’s Day Out at the Park. It was the one day a year when the entire eighth grade got to skip class and embark on a field trip to the amusement park for rides, carnival games, and all the greasy fair food we could eat.
Armed with lip gloss, extra money for snacks, and a yellow wristband that granted me unlimited access to all the rides, I set my sights on the biggest rollercoaster in the park: the Corkscrew of Terror. This ride was a whirlwind of twists and turns, flipping you upside down at death-defying speeds, and sure to leave you with a hoarse voice from all the screaming.
I went on the ride once, and then my friends and I bravely faced it again. But then, the unthinkable happened—the kind of thing that doesn’t happen to a popular kid like me. I threw up, right there on the pavement just outside the exit of the ride. My friends, the ones who were supposed to have my back, did the exact opposite. They laughed at me, turning from friends to bullies in an instant … the very thing I thought I was immune to.
I froze, unable to speak because I was so embarrassed. I felt heat creeping up my face, turning it the color of a ripe tomato. My head was pounding, my guts were churning, and I couldn’t begin to imagine how messy I must look to everyone around me, with my disheveled hair and vomit-stained lips.
I’d never been bullied before, and I hadn’t realized how much it could hurt. The sting of tears began to rise in the corners of my eyes, turning the rides and people around me into a blur of colors, all moving in slow motion.
Then, from nowhere, Creepy Kelly came to my defense. Hers was a quiet bravery. Without a word to my so-called friends, she took my hand and led me away from the crowd, away from the humiliation.
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As we walked away, I heard her soft voice for the first time. “Don’t listen to them. Let’s go clean you up.”
I was too shocked to speak. Kelly, the girl everyone whispered about, was helping me? We headed to the bathroom where she waited patiently as I cleaned up.
“You can talk!” I sputtered, genuinely taken aback, as her voice sounded perfectly normal, just like everyone else’s.
“Of course, I can talk, silly,” Kelly replied, her laugh genuine. “Maybe I just save my words for people who care enough to listen.” She winked at me, amusement sparkling in her eyes. I realized then that Kelly had a depth to her I hadn’t seen before. Feeling a little self-conscious about my earlier vomit mishap, I worried that I might be making a horrible first impression.
“You don’t have to hang out with me, you know,” I said, feeling a mix of gratitude and confusion.
“I want to, Miranda,” she replied. “Everyone deserves a friend, especially on days like these.”
“How did you know my name?” I asked, surprised.
“Are you kidding? Everyone knows your name,” Kelly chuckled, a wistful smile on her face.
We spent the rest of the day together, away from the rollercoasters. First, we tried our hand at some carnival games. Kelly had a surprising knack for them. She won a stuffed bear at the ring toss and, with a shy smile, handed it to me. “For you, to remember today.”
Then we stopped for lemonade. Kelly took two straws, placed them in her mouth, and pretended they were walrus tusks. It was so unexpected and funny I couldn’t help but laugh. I laughed so hard that lemonade snorted out of my nostrils.
“I haven’t laughed like this in … I don’t even know how long,” I admitted, wiping away tears of laughter.
Kelly’s eyes sparkled with mischief and joy. “Then today’s a good day.”
The rest of the afternoon was spent watching people, eating cotton candy, and sharing stories. Kelly was funny in her own quirky way, and I found myself liking her more and more as the day unfolded. It felt like we had known each other for years.
“I always carry this,” Kelly said, showing me her journal. “It’s where I keep memories of my cat, and now, good days like this.”
I felt a warmth in my heart. Here was a girl everyone misunderstood, including me, yet she was the kindest person I’d met. That day, I learned a valuable lesson. Friendship isn’t about popularity; it’s about kindness and understanding.
It turns out “Creepy Kelly” wasn’t creepy at all. She was funny, thoughtful, and had a delightful sense of humor. I had misjudged her and never given her a fair chance. I’d never even tried to befriend her.
I have to admit – I felt ashamed for not trying to talk to Kelly sooner.
From then on, Kelly and I became inseparable. We defied the school’s social norms and proved that true friendship knows no boundaries. And as for the bullies? Well, they seemed less significant now that I had a true friend by my side.
I realized then, more than ever, that it’s not about how someone looks or what others say about them – it’s their actions and heart that matter. Never judge someone without getting to know them – the most unexpected people can turn out to be the best of friends.
Written by Kitty Norton. © 2024 Jack and Kitty Norton. Reprinted by permission of Jack and Kitty Media Group. In order to protect the rights of the copyright holder, no portion of this publication may be reproduced without prior written consent. All rights reserved.
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