'Friends'

Prolouge

I suppose I should start with a little back story. In year 7, I was friendless. It was nearly halfway through the term and everyone had their little friendship groups. Except me.

That all changed at the end of one citzernship lesson. Someone pushed me from behind, straight into the people infront. I apologised, but they said not to worry. Introduced themselves as Claire and Lily. Aparently they knew him, and didn't blame me. We got talking, and before I knew it, I had two friends.

That alone should have set alarm bells ringing. I've had bad experiences with friends before. I should have taken time to think about it, talked more with people in my own half of the year. But I was desperate for acceptance. So I met them at their tutor before lunch.

They introduced me to their friends, who were all so nice, so kind. Except one. Iris. She fought aginst their choice of a new member. We constantly butted heads. But overall, life was looking better.

By the begining of the following year, Lily was starting to get on my nerves. Her high-pitched voice, attention seeking. Everything about her started to rub me the wrong way. But I stuck with it, beacuse she was the reason I got friends. However, avoiding her lead me to Iris, who'd I'd made up with. We were fast on our way to being good friends.

Year 8 was one of my worst years. I was being bullied. I was avoiding Lily and starting to avoid Claire. I had no friends in my actual classes. Days off were rising. My grades were slipping. But somehow, I pulled through and stayed in my sets. In fact, I moved up in maths!

Anyway, year 9 started on a high. I grew a backbone, got to know more people. Started having new friends, who were in my classes! My Dad and step-mum were plannning their wedding. My grades started going back up again. Life was looking good.

Unfortunatly, the Lily problem wasn't solved. If anything, it was getting worse. I had to 'walk' to school with her. That consisted of being driven (urgh) beacuse of a whole load of big-fat-lies. My stamina dropped dramatically. Seriously unhappy, I managed to stop the 'walking' thing. Later Iris told me that Lily didn't like me, but thought I liked her. It was awkward after that. But I got through the year. Passed my GCSE's. I was happy.

Yes, there were minor hiccups. A close friend found her best-friendship with Lily breaking down around her. But on the whole it was good.

But I should've seen the signs earlier. It was more of an effort to hang around them. I was getting closer to the people in my own half of the year. I would even go as far as to call them friends. I found myself spending more time with them. When I wasn't with my original friends they looked happier.

I stuck with it though. In reflection, I should've broken off then, so I avoided all the problems I now have.

But what was the argument about? I'm still not sure...