Hi, my name is Sanelisiwe Ngubane. I’m 19 years old. I was raised by my grandma. My parents died when I was just three years old. My grandma took the role of being a mother and a father to me. She loved me, and I loved her. She taught me many things like respect, humility, and being a good girl.

When I was thirteen years old, I had a friend named Amanda. Unlike me, Amanda was a spoilt brat. She was given everything she wanted. Even though she was fourteen, her parents spoiled her very much. She even had a boyfriend. She used to buy me gifts, and she has never forgotten teasing me about being a serious person. She told me I must loosen up a bit.

I ended up listening to her. Amanda sent her boyfriend, who was much older than her, to buy alcohol because they were still young. We drank, but I drank a little. As time passed, Amanda managed to get me a boyfriend; I was happy because I thought I was excellent, just like Amanda. My grandma saw the changes in me. She sat me down and tried to talk to me, but I told her she had nothing to worry about. I remember this time Amanda’s parents got her a beautiful car; we went out to celebrate. We celebrated at a warehouse which had everything we wanted.

Amanda’s boyfriend brought weed with him; Amanda was like an expert. I tried it, too. At first, I coughed so severely, but then Amanda taught me we smoked and drank alcohol. Suddenly, we heard a knock on the door. We thought it was Amanda’s friends, but it was the cops. We were all taken to the police station. Our parents were called, including my grandma. She was unfortunate Amanda’s parents bribed a cop to release Amanda. My grandma had to beg the police to let me go. Eventually, the police did, but with a warning that if I did it again, I’d be locked up in jail.

I told my grandma everything. She was unfortunate and upset. I spent days begging for her forgiveness, and she did forgive me. I stopped being friends with Amanda. My grandma was happy that I was that lovely little granddaughter again. She didn’t give up on me.