Good day.

I have come here to talk to you guys about Friendships. I'm writing this all on my phone, so I hope you guys enjoy!

The words that are spoken in this post are from the book called 'Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul: The Real Deal', so I do not take credit for these.

Being a Friend

You're having a bad hair day or you have a huge zit and you feel ugly.
The world just stares at you.
A friend says, "You look pretty!"

You get a bad grade on your test because you stayed up late doing a project for another class.
The world says, "You're a failure."
A friend says, "Good try, you'll do better next time."

Your crush doesn't give you the time of day.
The world flirts with them and leaves you brokenhearted.
A friend sets you up on a date with that person or says, "You can do better."

Your car breaks down in the middle of nowhere.
The world drives by.
A friend drives out to the middle of nowhere, picks you up and goes with you to the mechanic.

You don't have a date for prom night.
The world thinks you're a loser.
A friend sets you up with a cute cousin.

You slip on the wet grass in fall in a mud puddle.
The world laughs and walks on.
A friend laughs, then offers you a hand and hooks you up with a change of clothes.

Your love one dies, you feel like you can't go on.
The world feel sorry for you.
A friend prays for you.

You feel fat and unhealthy.
The world thinks you should stop eating.
A friend jogs with you every day.

You want to die and are considering suicide.
The world ignores you and causes you more pain.
A friend gives you a reason to live.

Life's challenges causes you dismay.
The world forgets you.
A friend gives you love.

~Rosie Ojeda, age -18

These are some very good sayings, showing how a friend is always there for you, and always will be. It shows how a friend is always one step ahead of the rest of the world. A friend will stick by your side. It hurts me how the world doesn't stop for a moment to care. Think about all the people who are bullied, or are going through things.


And, here's a short story.


Not Really a Friend

For as long as I've known Naicia, I've known that she was one of the unpopular people in school. It was easy to tell, of course. Kids made it clear every single day. Naicia's peers jeered and called her horrible names, saying hurtful things like, "Hey, watch out guys! The whale is coming! Look at all that blubber!" This continued throughout elementary and into middle school.

I used to be mystified at how strong Naicia seemed in the face of her tormentors. She would always stand up to them, even at the risk of getting detention or in school suspension. It seemed like Naicia didn't let the cruel things that people said get to her, and for that I admired her from afar and still do. I wasn't one of the many taunting students in the hall, shouting swear words. I listen to her, no matter what she had to say, but I still didn't consider her a 'friend,' and I'm not sure why.

Peer pressure is a horrible thing. It changes a person.

One day I was walking from science class to the cafeteria where I was hoping to find my favorite lunch: pizza. On the way, I had to stop at my locker to drop off my notebook and pick up my wallet and ID card.

"Hey, Tawner!" I heard someone call from behind me.

"Oh, hey, Naicia," I responded without even turning around. There was only one person in the world who called me 'Tawner.'

"Ooh, guess what! I'm going out with Marcus again..."

"Not now, it's lunch. Tell me later or something," I replied, cutting her off. I was tired and in one of my less peppy moods, and I really didn't feel like hearing the latest updates on Naicia's strange love life.

"Okay!" she said brightly and wandered off.

I walk into the cafeteria and saw the usual groups and cliques, and headed for line number three, my line of choice even though it's usually the slowest out of all five. I got my pepperoni pizza, fries and a brownie (talk about healthier foods in school today? Yeah right) and sat down with my core group of friends.

I'm sad to say that the friends who had made it through my intensive screening process were among the tormentors who tortured Naicia every day. And I'm even sadder to say (and rather disgusted as well) that I didn't even stick up for Naicia when my friends had put her down that day. Where was the logic in that? I was too afraid to stand up for what I believed in because I knew it would put my reputation at risk.

I now know that my reputation doesn't matter-the feelings of other human beings do. She dealt with the pressure of being teased and tormented each day by trying to grow up before she was ready. Naicia's boyfriends changed as rapidly as the days of the week. The rumors that she does drugs are entirely false. Her mother wasn't exactly what you call a positive influence. It turns out that what I had thought were signs of strength were actually signs of someone who didn't know where to turn. So Naicia turned to drugs and violence. She thought it was the only alternative.

My experiences with Naicia have made me realize something about myself that I don't like, but I can change. Naicia still hangs with the wrong crowd, still experiments with drugs and still has a tense home life, and I know I can't change any of that. But what I can change is how I treat others because of the Golden Rule-treat others the way you want to be treated-still applies. I think everyone should live by that mantra.

I start high school next year. Naicia made it through too, even with her poor grades. I have promised myself with the writing of this that I will change myself. I will see others as people who are thinking and feeling... People who have emotions… People who are just like me. And this time I will not be someone who just talks to Naicia because no one else has a kind thing to say to her. I'll do it because I'm her friend.

~Tawnee Caloun, age 15

All I have to say is, when someone pushes someone to far, it can lead a person to drugs. Which isn't okay. So kids, don't do drugs and stay positive, got it?

I hope you guys enjoyed this post. I would like to make a shoutout to Coffeecow, May23, Dom, Mark, OoBubblesoO, and Allie. All of you are always there for me and I love you all. Especially Mark

Anyways! Give this post a like please! It took me 3 hours to make! Possibly comment below! Thank you for reading! Love you all!

Adios amigos!
~Wolf