JEALOUS FRIEND

In our day to day life we often discuss about our best friends, write long stories, status, tag them, text them, love them, pen special notes for them ,host surprise parties, birthdays, buy gifts, lend money, lie on behalf of them, bunk school,  lectures, classes, and what not you name it! I hope all of us will agree on the fact that friendship is the most beautiful relationship one can have in life. If you have good friends then you don't need anybody to make you feel good and better about yourself.
 

 Even in school, if teacher asks us to write about something the first thing that comes to our minds are our best friends. Isn't it? 
We tend to forget to write about our parents but we never forget our friends. 

But have you ever pondered upon this question and asked yourself ? 
I assume you haven't. So let me ask a few.
How do you know whether the person  you are referring to as your 'best friend' feels the same about you ? 
Are they truly your "Best Friends Forever" or  "Best Fake Friends Forever? "

No! I am not trying to instigate you against your best friends. There are people who get exceptionally great friends and become friends for life and that's truly amazing. I mean having someone to rely on ,to share your things out, show your vulnerability without the fear of being judged is pure heaven. 

But not everyone is same. There are  people  who exists to drain you up both mentally and emotionally. And yeah not everyone is lucky in friendship!
Want to know more about some shady signs of a friendship? Don't stop reading then!

                     

     PART - 2

"THE JEALOUS FRIEND"

Lisa was the only child to her loving parents Mr. and Mrs. Smith.  She always complained for not having any siblings with whom she could share her bedroom, exchange embroidered dresses , baggy t-shirts ,trousers , shoes, or makeup. She always wanted to have someone to hang out with and play her favorite games. However, she was a lucky child for her parents. The economic conditions of her family was not stable until she was born. After her birth, everything just fell into place and her father got a new job in a commercial bank, while her mother managed the house. 

Lisa was studying in 9th grade and was a brilliant student. She was good in both academics and extra curricular activities. She was a candid, helpful, and happy go lucky  child . Her best friends were Sophia,  Chloe and William. 

Sophia and Chloe were average students and William was good in extra curricular activities .Still, they were all best friends. 

'We are going to have a debate competition coming Saturday, whoever wants to participate submit your names to Sports Captain by Thursday' said the Vice Prefect of the school. 

Lisa got excited . ' Friends let's participate and help our Sunflower team win. Oh! I am so ready for it. What say?'

'I want to, but I can't. I have this fear of fumbling in front of the whole school you know.' William said. 

'Don't worry about that just give your best William' Lisa said . 

'But what if I forget my points, I've got this stage fear u know.'

'You can pen down your notes and read from the paper simple.'

'Paper? No way. Don't you know people can see it trembling. ?'

'Then just come prepared William. You can practice at home. Stand in front of the mirror and say your points.'

'Better I won't do it at all. You go for it and give your best' William said. 

'Are you two participating?'  Lisa asked excitedly. 

'Yeah I am up for it' said Chloe. 

Sophia was hesitant but Chloe cajoled her and was now all set to participate. 

' And the best speaker goes to Lisa' the teacher announced. 

Everybody rooted and clapped for Lisa, except Chloe. William was jocund and proud of his friend. 

On their way back home, William and Sophia were all praises for Lisa. 'You were too good I was certain that our Sunflower team would win ' said William. 

'No one can beat her !' Sophia said. 

Chloe was quite. She just gave a smirk to Lisa. 

At home Lisa's parents were very jocund and they all enjoyed a delicious meal .

'Argh, 

She always wins I don't know how? ' Chloe ranted. 

'Because she isn't leech stuck with mobile phone all day and night long ' her mother yelled from the kitchen. 

 Chloe skipped her dinner and went to sleep . 

Next day at school everyone praised Lisa. 'Congratulations Lisa' her classmates said. 

'We are so proud of you Lisa. You all should learn from her ' the class teacher said. 

Chloe looked out side while others were busy clapping. 

Several months passed. End -term examinations  were approaching and teachers were busy conducting weekly tests. It was mathematics tests and Miss Bella was conducting it. Before writing the questions on the black board, she  changed the regular sitting arrangement of the students. Now the most brilliant students were moved to first desks and average students were shifted to the last rows. As a result, Lisa and her friends also got distanced. William was sitting on second bench of third row, Sophia went to the last , Chloe was sitting just behind Lisa on the last bench. 

'No need to copy the questions just write the correct numbers and start writing' Miss Bella commanded. Students followed the instructions.

 After a while, 

 'Keep your hand aside , I can't see that clearly', Chloe whispered. 

Lisa slightly bent towards the right and looked at the walls with her one hand on the head. Lisa pretended as if she was recalling her answers meanwhile Chloe was busy copying. 

After few minutes , 

'Finished? ' Lisa murmured. 

'Yeah 'Pinky whispered. 

'Have you finished students? ..Write quickly...I will give you some more questions...' Miss Bella said. 

'Yes ma'am ' the students replied. 

Miss Bella gave few questions and asked the students to complete within 15 minutes as the bell was about to ring. 

Lisa geared up and wrote her answers swiftly. At the meantime she felt a nudge on her back. 'Have you finished writing?' Chloe enquired. 

  'Two more to go' Lisa whispered. 

'I can't recall the formula see' Chloe slowly pushed her answer sheets towards Lisa. 

'It is x2-................. '

'Write your own answers  You understood?' Miss Bella raged. 

Pinky quickly pulled the answer sheets towards herself and pretended to write something. 

'And you what are you doing huh?  Don't try to be smart!'

'Sorry Ma'am ' 

'Don't repeat that again and write fast ' Miss Bella commanded. 

Bell rang. Miss Bella called Chloe and Lisa in the staff room and advised them not to copy each others answers. 

'I will deduct your marks.. Tell me why you were cheating?' 

'I only asked the formula ma'am' Chloe answered. 

'Don't you know it is your test...and you are supposed to write your own answers? 

And you why you were helping her out Lisa...Are you studying for her?'

'She is my best friend ma'am'  Lisa said. 

'So what?.... 

'Exam is exam.. 

Keep your friendship aside. Remember none of you are studying for each other. Focus on your studies. '

Both fell silent. 

'You may go and make sure you don't repeat it. '

The girls apologized and went to the classroom. 

It was their lunch time. 'What happened Lisa ? Why you were called in the staffroom?' William enquired. 

'She just said we should study well ' Lisa said. 

' But you are already a brilliant student.. that means Chloe was copying your answers right?'

'Why don't you study at home Chloe? 'William asked. 

Chloe was furious 'I just forgot the formulas you got it.? And yeah I do study well okay... I do study.... '

'It's okay sometimes we tend to forget the answers... Cool down friends'

Lisa said. 

'But it's not right.. What if ma'am deduct your marks and don't allow you to appear in final exams?' William asked. 

'Oh! Don't worry that much ...Nothing will happen as such. We all are best friends isn't it? And don't you know we should help our friends ?' Lisa said. 

'Yeah we should but.... '

Chloe was all smiles and wished the day comes soon. 

'Lisa is right. We should help our friends.. because friend in need is a friend indeed .. Don't you know William?' Lisa guffawed. 

William was indignant and gave a very hostile glare to Chloe. 

All went to their respective homes.

Few weeks passed. 

 Only handful of days were left for the examinations. At school, everyone got busy in their work. The  teachers were busy framing question papers while the students were busy in their own world. Some were apprehensive thinking whether they would pass or fail. Some students were busy copying notes from their friends, some were busy making a new study routine, while some were just busy wasting their time gossiping. 

Lisa had also prepared a new routine few weeks back and was following religiously. 

William and Sophia were patient enough to wait for the exam routine. They were the most hardworking ,brilliant students who always attempted to study a day before the exams. Chloe borrowed the notes from Lisa and didn't bothered much for the exams. 

Five days passed. 

 It was day one of the final examination and as per the routine , it was English exam.

As usual the four friends got separated and this time as per the sitting arrangement, William and Sophia were in section B whereas Lisa and Chloe were in section A. Miss Suzanne and Mr. Anderson  were the invigilator of section A. 

Suzanne was a very strict class teacher of 12th grade. She was well known for her discipline, punctuality and integrity in school. Mr. Anderson was a sports teacher. 

The bell rang and the respective teachers disseminated the question papers and answer sheets. 

'Write down your name, class, roll number , date and subject correctly at the top right hand side...You will only get 30 minutes to write after the second warning bell goes....Everyone make sure to finish on time and write your own answers... Any sort of false means would not be accepted.. 

Is that clear? 'Miss Suzanne stated. 

'Yes ma'am ' students said. 

The students wrote their name, roll numbers as per the instructions and began writing their answers while 

some students looked confused looking at the question paper. 

In section B, Sophia and William were tensed looking at the question paper.

In section A, Lisa was writing her paper very well. While Chloe was tensed, she hadn't prepared well for the exams.

Two hours passed. 

William submitted his answer sheets and waited for his friends in the school playground. After a while, Sophia also came. 

'How was your paper?' William asked. 

'Oh! Please don't ask.. It was.... I just hope ...' 

'What about yours? 'Sophia asked. 

'Ummm well not good.. I am also hoping for the best..... ' William was tensed.

Both waited quietly for their friends. 

Meanwhile in section A:

Miss Suzanne's phone rang and she went outside for a while.

Mr. Anderson was busy sipping hot coffee while sitting on the chair. He didn't bothered to inspect or just move around the class. 

' Everyone do your own.. I am observing you all.. Write your answers quickly before the bell goes.. 'he said. 

Lisa was busy writing her answers as fast as she could. Suddenly Chloe whispered.

'Lisa have you finished question no 10?'

'Not yet.. I am still writing.. '

'Show me.. I don't know the answer... '

'Let me finish writing... You start doing other questions... '

'Show me quickly, I will copy as fast as possible... '

'Wait I am about to finish.. '

Chloe was furious.

'Lisa.. Lisa.. listen take my answer sheets and write the few initial lines after that I will write myself... '

Lisa didn't gave any response.

Chloe pinched Lisa on her back and the moment Lisa turned back,  Chloe handed the answer sheets to her. 

'What are you doing?'

Miss Suzanne, who just entered the classroom saw Lisa holding Chloe's answer sheets. 

'Ma'am ..I....I....Chloe...... I did nothing..... ma'am... 'Lisa fumbled. She turned all blue and was about to cry. 

Chloe sat silently. Miss Suzanne yelled, 

'Show me the paper.. Hmmm you were trying to copy from your friend right??'

' No ma'am... No... I.. didn't... '

'Shut your mouth.. You think I am a fool?.. I saw you now don't lie to me ... '

'And you why you gave your answer sheets to her?'

Chloe said nothing. 

'Submit your paper and leave the hall. .. You are not allowed to write your paper  any more... '

Lisa couldn't utter a word , she was constantly gazing at her friend, whom she thought would speak the truth.

Lisa went outside sobbing. William and Sophia were shocked to see Lisa. 

'What happened.. why are you crying?'

 'Tell me what happen.. There is still 1 hour left.. Why you came so early?'

'Please tell us what happened?' both enquired. 

'Ma'am... Ma'am threw me out of the class... I... I... did nothing... 'Lisa burst into tears. 

'But why?'

Lisa couldn't speak and constantly cried. 

In examination hall, Chloe was writing her papers. She didn't bothered about her best friend.

The bell rang. Everyone came out. 

Chloe didn't bothered to meet her friends. She walked with other girls discussing the number of questions she attempted. 

William saw Chloe and tried to call her. 

'Chloe.. Chloe... Come here! '

'Why? What are you doing here?' Chloe laughed boisterously. 

'Come let's go home, tomorrow is History exam don't you know?'

'Huh! as if you are going to study at home and not repeat what you did today...'William said sarcastically. 

Lisa was sitting with Sophia on the ground. 

Chloe went near to them. 

'Why you didn't uttered a word Chloe?'

Lisa asked. 

'Why you didn't said it was you who handed over the answer sheets to me?'

'I got afraid and couldn't say anything.' Chloe replied. 

 'But you could have spoke but you didn't... And I also remained silent.. But seriously I had no idea Ma'am would....

Any ways leave it I know you will definitely pass ' Chloe smirked and left with other students. 

Lisa sat dumbstruck and teary eyed .

    Have you ever come across such friends in your life? Do let us know by leaving a comment down below. And if you found this story relevant and interesting then don't forget to share it with your friends and follow English Learning!

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