Finding strength in numbers

GROWING up, I was best friends with a girl who knew me inside out. We sat beside each other from preschool through to our primary school years. Though we shared some really good times together, we also saw the worst of each other.

I grew so emotionally attached to her that I followed her around during our primary school days. Then one day, things changed. She had another “best friend” who stuck with her all the time.

Being an emotional child, I was very angry with my friend – so angry that I refused to speak to her for half a year! The whole thing blew up into a brawl filled with hurtful words which left our close-knit friendship in tatters.

Stepping into secondary school, I found myself surrounded with new friends. It couldn’t have come at a better time as I was still reeling from the friendship breakdown and was feeling lonely.

These newfound friends were the light who pulled me out of that dreadful phase. Ever since then, we’ve journeyed through rough pastures and smooth-sailing days together.

With them, I no longer feel lonely because I am not afraid to confide in them my fears and worries. I am thankful our paths crossed.

They alleviated my trust issues and taught me that friendship isn’t about trying to make a friend your personal belonging; it is to widen your social circle while keeping your dignity intact.

I am still in touch with my childhood friend. We have put the phase of silly arguments and exclusive friendship behind us. We‘re in separate schools now but from time to time, we have our heart-to-heart talks.

All things considered, I would say that the best type of friends comes in groups. Having a group of friends like mine who share common goals and similar outlooks on life is simply amazing.

We work hard together, giving each other a push whenever one of us feels like giving up.

They are my little circle of positivity and if the entire day had been filled with negative vibes, they would be the zestful home I could return to.

They often make me laugh so hard that tears come rolling down my cheeks.

Sometimes, they up the ante by throwing in

crazy actions and silly dances.

I’m definitely blessed. Having a group of friends like them is one of life’s greatest enjoyment.

We have had our own fill of adventures, touring our city as if we were tourists, going house-hopping during Chinese New Year, and unleashing our craziest selves in theme parks.

We argue but there isn’t a problem we can’t straighten it out. We fight but it never lasts more than a day.

You know what’s the best part? Each and every one of us is different in our own ways. But these differences strengthen the bond among us.

Being 17 isn’t all sunshine and rainbows, especially when we have to sit for the SPM this year. But with friends like them?

They make the journey that much easier to endure because (*wink) we’re suffering together.

This article was published in the Newspaper in Education (NIE) pullout by The Star Newspaper dated 26 July 2017