As much as humans like to control their own lives, there are many aspects that are outside of our control. For example, we do not choose the families into which we are born or the places where we grow up. The same is sometimes true of friendships. Some friends we choose because we identify them as people who are similar to us and because they offer us something we want. Occasionally, however, we make unexpected friends. For example, a young person bumps into someone at the library who is crying because she has lost an important paper she was writing for school. As a result, the two become friends and learn that helping people through tough times is at the core of strong relationships.
Assignment
Tell the story of a time you made an “unexpected” friend and learned something important from that friend. In your response, be sure to explain how the friendship came about and the ways in which this friendship taught you something.
There I was, walking down the hall to the principal’s office again, for the third time this week. Only this time is a little different then the last two. I was proud. In fact, I was smiling! there was a group of six or seven kids following suit behind me. And they had every right to be proud as well.. We certainly showed that substitute teacher… trying to command us 7th graders to where we HAD to sit, even though our normal teacher had clearly stated we could sit wherever we felt comfortable. It was an outrage, and a good portion of the class had felt the same way that I did. Therefore, in my young mind, it was justified.
Seeing that I was a “frequent flyer” for odyssey’s to meet the principal, I entered the main office first, propping open the door with my foot to allow everyone else to file in. The office ladies did not seem to surprised to have me enter, though the crowd of children did pique their attention. when asked why we were there, everyone at once started chattering about the dictator down the hallway. I stood back for a moment, trying to hide my uncontrollable joy for my peers, masking it with an outraged expression
stained across my face. The lovely office assistance had directed us to a room located in the back while they “sorted things out”. It was here we all gathered for a far more unique situation to happen.
As we settled in, claiming chairs around a circular table, everyone remained silent. After a few minutes passed noiselessly, I took the courageous step to break the ice, telling everyone about how glad I was to not be alone in this revolution, thanking them for helping me out. I recognized all the faces around me, one of which I did not enjoy seeing; Cody. Cody was a guy that I didn’t quite consider a friend. Obnoxious, constantly negative, always calling for attention, ceaselessly instigating fights whenever he can. But, to my surprise, there sat Cody… silent. “Odd” was the constant thought running through my mind, but enough curiosity over it, I had a troop morale to keep afloat. In order to do so I’d ask dumb questions to people, giving little quips to people hoping to get everyone giggling.
Though my plan was a success at first, everyone was smiling at my last impressions of our “doggy poo-poo headed substitute”, our room’s door had opened up and one of our office ladies had walked in. Without a word she walked to the back of the room, grabbed to separate, one-gallon containers of water and made her way back towards the exit, everyone remained silent. Right before she finished closing the door, I decided to continue the jokes by stupidly uttering “nice jugs”, in hopes that the door would have already closed.
My hopes were completely wrong. The door fired back open, Office lady furious, yelling at us “Who said that!?? Who said that!!” Right as I started to raise my hand, a small, timid voice said out loud “It was me”…. And Cody stood up, staring at his toes. I couldn’t believe it! I was stunned to the point of silence, even as Cody marched out of the room with the assistant. Everyone stared wide-eyed at me. I was unsure of what to say, or do, or even think. Cody, the guy who I disliked, had taken a three-day suspension from school, on order to cover my stupidity. Since that day, sparked a friendship that I will never forget. Because nobody would take such a blame, and not be considered a friend.
