She was a really good friend of mine, so I couldn’t believe what they were telling me. They said that she had said some bad things about me. The people who told me about it were really good friends of mine; I met them last year in middle school. I met Juan in 6th grade because of a food fight; we had detention together, so we started talking. I met Maria in 7th grade because we had every class together. I also met Kayla in 7th grade as well. We had math class together. We all had things in common, so let’s just say we got along very well, all these people I trusted and I.

We’re in high school now - ninth grade. They say the first couple of days are the worst but it gets better. Honestly, for me they were pretty great; actually, the whole year was great. I feel like towards the end of the year you find out who’s really your friend and who’s not. But me and my friend Jaime started getting close towards the end of the year. We spent a lot of time together in class and out of class. II told her everything, like about the time my mom left and told me she was going on a long vacation but never came back, and the time my dad left to prison and came back four years later. No matter what it was, she would be the first to know because she knows what I go through and how much pain i’m feeling inside. When i’m with her she makes me forget all about my pain. She’s that special kind of friend.

It’s may 2 and I’m in fourth period. I always fall asleep in this class mostly because the teacher complains about how his wife is always yelling at him and his nasty gross toe bunion on his left big toe.

“Coraline, wake up, It’s time for lunch.” Juan always wakes me up when it’s time for lunch.
 

“Hey Juan, can I eat lunch with you? I have nobody else to eat with,” I respond. Juan just laughs at me. I’m just standing there wondering why he’s laughing.

“Sure Coraline, but I’ll have to warn you, my friend’s are weird and gross. You know how boys are.”

I just stood there and said nothing the whole lunch. The good part about eating lunch there with Juan was that I found out what boys really talk about and let me tell you something: boys are gross! They just talk about girls and their butts. They even talk about their stupid games. And after lunch I always walk to my class with juan, are next class after lunch is upstairs always so we walk up stairs a little early so we don’t have to be crowded by all those people when the bell rings. I sit in the back corner of the class with Juan and Maria. We always talk about the most random things to keep us not so bored during class.

I get so bored in class, mostly because Jaime sits so far away from me. So, I just sit in class thinking about this one guy I really like named Samuel. He has the prettiest eyelashes and he’s so sweet to me sometimes. I can’t tell if he likes me or not, because he hugs me and everything but sometimes he acts so serious. I think he’s trying to act cool around his friends which I guess is understandable.

“Hey Coraline, did you hear about what Jaime said about you?”
I paused for a second to try and make sure i heard her right.”

“What are you talking about, Maria?” Juan and Maria just looked at each other, then looked back at me.

“Juan said Maria overheard Jaime saying that you’re a fake friend and that you think you’re better than everyone else.” I couldn’t believe what i was hearing. My eyes started to tear up.

“Ok class it’s time to go to the library,” The teacher, Mr. Paul, said.  I wanted to tear up so bad, so he told me I could stay in the class if I wanted to. I told him that I was fine and wanted to go to the library even though all I wanted to do was cry.
         

I don’t think I have ever wanted to cry this bad besides the time in seventh grade when my grandpa passed away. I didn’t eat anything till diner and I didn’t want to go to school for a month. I guess I’m fine now. I think about it every now and then, but still I haven’t wanted to cry this bad in a long time. I saw Jaime standing by the computers to check out what books to get, so I thought it would be a good time to go up to her.

“Hey Jaime can I ask you something ?” I tried so hard not to break down in front of her.

“Yeah, what is it Coraline?”
“Someone said you were talking about me. Is it true?”

She just stood there and said nothing. She made a sad face at me and I started to cry and so did she. She told me to believe what I wanted, that if I wanted to turn against her like everyone else, to go ahead and do it. But that’s not what I wanted at all; I just wanted the truth and nothing but the truth. It doesn’t seem to be that easy just to get it. In that moment, all I could do was cry because I couldn’t stand that she was crying. She was my best friend, and I never thought I’d be the one to make her cry. Out of all the people I know she doesn’t deserve to cry.
          

It was hard to be in the same room as her when we went back to class. She didn’t even look at me once. But I still couldn’t figure out what I did to make her cry. I wasn’t telling her I believed them, I was asking her if it was true! hen I think about it, I would’ve cried too , in her position. She’s my best friend, and I shouldn’t have to ask her if it was true or not. I should have trusted her .

Now, when I think about it, I think that maybe she cried because she was hurt I didn’t trust her. Meanwhile, I’m still waiting for this bell to ring so I can go home and let out everything I’m holding inside.

“Hey maria can i ask you something?” I said.

“Yeah sure...”

“Are you lying to me? Did Jaime really say things about me?”

“Look, Coraline, I don’t have time for this. Believe me or don’t believe me, I don’t care. You’re only hurting yourself not me.”

“Woahh! Guys let’s not argue, but Coraline, Maria’s right... believe us or don’t. We’re just trying to watch out for you.”
          

The bell rings suddenly, and I ran out the class before everyone else so I can get home.  Then Abel, Jaime’s other close friend, grabs my arm and tells me to stop.

“Coraline - why did you make Jaime cry? What did she do?”

“Get your hands off me!” I shouted. I really don’t care who you are to Jaime, this is between me and Jaime! It’s not between me, you, and her - just me and her.”

I walked away from him. I couldn’t hold it in anymore and I started to cry. I didn’t care who saw me. It was like everything and everyone was gone and I was there by myself. I haven’t felt so alone in a long time. I haven’t cried in so long. I came to school the next day and told myself I was better off trusting no one and being alone. Because in the end you just end up getting hurt. At least that’s how it seemed for me. I know everybody’s story is different and that everybody goes through things, so I try to think of it in that way so I don’t feel as bad myself.

I saw Jaime at lunch the next day. I went up to her and said I was sorry, explaining what people told me that she had said about me the other day. She said it was never true and I believed her because I trusted her, and because of everything we have been through together. I decided to confront Maria again.

“Maria, I don’t believe you…” I said angrily to her that afternoon.

“Look Coraline, I honestly don’t even like you. I never did , and I don’t like Jaime either...”

When she said that, it made me think for a second that she was lying because she wanted to break our friendship apart. I couldn’t believe that. She never really liked me! She lied to me and told me she hated me. But I was always there for her, even when she was in that abusive relationship with that one guy. I helped her through everything. I guess it was time for the truth to come out! Like I said, the end of the year is always the worst, never the best. I’m sure of it.

The next day, me and Jaime ate lunch together and Maria looked at us with anger in her eyes, but that’s ok - I’m just glad I still have my best friend.

High school is where you find your friends. I found mine and I don’t plan on letting her go. I know she will always be there for me. I think we all have our own happy endings, like that guy Abel who really liked Jaime. They started getting close and they’re together now, although they’re keeping it low key. That’s what kids call it these days when they keep relationships a secret, and sometimes it’s better that way. And for me, I ended up finding out Samuel really did like me. We talk everyday now and I don’t think we will call it official for a while, which i’m ok with because I love the idea of us being close friends. High school is hard the first year, but you learn lessons and find your real friends. I hope everyone else can do the same.