An Old Friend

"I was always the star kid. The one everyone wanted to invite to parties and hang out with. It is how I grew up as the centre of everyone's universe. And then she came into our school."

"She was not very beautiful. Or even presentable. Her clothes, her hand-me-down books, everything screamed of poor living conditions. She couldn't even afford to come to school on the bus. She used to walk all the way to the school."

"While everyone our age was studying or having fun, she was already doing odd jobs to earn money. She was ostracized by everyone for being so different. But one day, we were paired up for a school project. I was initially annoyed, but as we worked together, I began to see her in a different light. I understood she wanted to be like the rest of us but did not have the money."