You know, it’s very unlikely for one to accept that life can never change; you just going to come second to everyone and in everything. Believe me it’s not a bad thing at all, because you never really get disappointed when people turn you down or have more important things to do.

At first I hated myself because I always blamed myself for everything that happened in my life. My father never really took me seriously all he cared about was my younger brother and his boxing. And there I was trying to get his approval in everything I did. I never got it no matter how hard I tried.

And as for my mother, she was a successful business woman that never really had enough time to be with her family, except for when it concerned my older sister. I tell you she would do anything for her. And none of them ever really cared for me; to them I always came second.

Probably because I was the middle child, at least that’s how I saw it. That was the only sensible explanation I could come up with for their ill-treatment.

Like there was this one time when I was about 12 years old and in 6th grade, I was going to do my first drama performance. I was so excited about it I told my daddy that it would really mean a lot if he could come.

He promised that he was going to be there no matter what. I practised all week because I wanted to impress my dad. I wanted him to be proud of me, and most of all, I wanted for him to notice that at least there was something I could do in life. My brother was a very good boxer who never failed to impress my dad. And my sister was very good at school; she always came home with lots of academic awards every year. My parents were really proud of them.

The night before the big day, my brother came home very excited from school. He told my father that he had a big fight – the same night as my performance. Daddy got super excited too. I could tell he had forgotten about his promise to me. When I asked him, I found out that I was right; I hated it though.

He told me that he couldn’t miss that match and it was very important. “And besides, your brother’s the youngest; he won’t understand. At least you’re older, I’m sure you can understand.”

Yep that’s what he said. I was twelve years and he was eleven; so there was not much of an age difference there, but hey, I had to understand. Mom on the other hand had a very important meeting to prepare for that evening. And as for my sister she was always busy with her new boyfriend and never really had time for me though I needed her too.

These people really knew how to ruin my life. That hurt so badly and there was nothing I could do about it so I just held my head up high and went on that night. At least I managed to make myself proud and I loved every single moment of it without them.

By the way, my name is Lee-Ann Smith. I’m sixteen years old now in 11th Grade. I’m from Houston Texas and this is my story…

One Saturday afternoon I was getting ready meet up with my all-time best friend. Kimberley Adams. Kim and I had been friends since first grade. While growing up we used to do everything together, it had always been just the two of us and at school no one really noticed us and we liked it that way.

But we grew up and things changed slowly. At the age of thirteen Kim changed; she became a Goth. She started wearing weird outfits with that horrible black make-up and her style change completely. I liked her when she was still normal and this new her I didn’t understand. Every time I felt rejected I always knew that she was there and that would make me feel a whole lot better. But now all she seemed to care about was herself and her Goth friends.

And so she left me to hang out alone. I only got to hang out with Kim occasionally but I didn’t mind. As long as she was still around I was fine; I enjoyed every little time I got to spend with her. Like this particular Saturday, we had decided to go shopping.

“You know I miss spending some quality time with you,” I said to her as we exited the last shop for the day.

“What do you mean? We were together almost the whole day, doesn’t that count for you?”

That was the problem; we didn’t see eye to eye anymore. To her, half a day spent with me was more than enough, while I still wanted to be around her. But I was never planning on telling her that.

“Yeah I guess it does,” I only managed with a sigh.

“You know what you need Lee?” she asked smiling at my direction. I didn’t really want to know where she was going with this, I just stared at her face.

“You need to get a boyfriend, that way you will never be alone,” I looked at her astonished.

“You have got to be out of your mind. I don’t need a boyfriend, my life is perfect the way it is,”

“Oh well, suit yourself then.”

“What are you doing tonight,” I asked after a long pause. Please say you’re free, please, please, I prayed silently. I was so desperate to go out that night I hoped she would be available.

“I’m going out with Tasha and the gang, wanna join?”

What, me and the Goths? No ways! Those people were too weird for me. I just couldn’t fit in with them.

“Aah no, I don’t think so,” I was so disappointed but I had to accept that they were her new friends now and I just had to give her space.

“I’m sorry Lee, maybe next time,” she said.

She did not look or sound sorry at all. I just nodded and left her standing there. I took a cab and headed home.

***

Have you ever grown apart with a best friend? How did it affect you?