A Lost Friend Jared was my best friend. We would hang out together and chat about anything under the sun. I had his shoulder to cry on, to lean on and punch. He would crack me up with funny jokes and I would keep him sane. I helped him with homework while he taught me sports. There were whispers going around: "How did the jock meet the nerd?" "I wonder why the nerd is friends with the jock." Friends would ask, and our replies would be, "Oh, no big deal, we're besties, the jock and the geek." We would make friendship watches, watch movies, and hang out all the time. However, something changed. Jared had family problems. His father went bankrupt with his big company. They had lots of debts. His mother was sick. Deathly sick, one might say. Jared had to stop going to school. His future was no longer bright. He no longer had that spark in his eyes. In fact, his green eyes would be dull and worried. His face was always in a scowl. But I still stuck to him. I tried to help him, but he soon got annoyed. "Stop treating me like a kid!" he yelled at me one day, when I gave him ten dollars to pay for his meal. "What? I'm not! I'm just trying to help!" I protested quietly, trying not to get drawn into a fight. I was a peaceful boy, after all. But Jared completely spoiled by my efforts. "Stop it! Just stop it! You're so annoying, like a mosquito! Go away!" Jared snarled, jabbing a finger at my chest. I felt my worry turn into icy cold anger. It washed over me like a tsunami wave. I clenched my fists, but I tried to stop that burning anger that was rising up. "Be careful what you wish for! No one's going to help you now," I told him icily. Then, he rolled his eyes, which irritated me so much, I just wanted to punch him. "Oh please. I have other friends too." Then he was about to walk away when I literally lunged at him. He turned around and nearly punched me in the face if I had not jerked back. "Hey! Don't fight!" A teacher hurried over, pushing us apart. "Don't crawl back until you realize you were wrong!" I yelled. "Never! You go away and don't come back! Jared roared back. The next few weeks that went by, I was extremely lonely. I sat alone during recess, or sometimes I could not bear the pitying glances of teachers and students alike, so I went to the library to study. I had lost all hope in life. Jared was the opposite of me. I saw him hanging out with big tough guys in the neighborhood, sneering at elderly people and children who were tripping over their own feet. He partied every day and did not seem to care about his family anymore. One day, a boy named Ronin Lernoj sat next to me. I took to him immediately, knowing he was a kind and caring student who worked hard in his studies, like me. We often saw Jared and his 'gang' sitting near the steps of the school, laughing and pointing at students, jeering at them and daring them to fight back. Once, when we were walking home, the gang suddenly came over, literally attacking us. We were caught by surprise, and I could barely fight.Ronin got injured — his arm was broken. The sound of police sirens filled the air, and they were caught. Sent to juvenile prison. Months later, I heard that Jared died in prison. I felt an overwhelming wave of sadness and I made the decision to visit Jared's house. His mother greeted me. She had recovered with the help of donations. I went straight into his room and flipped through everything. Funny thing was, I did not know why. Then, I found a diary that was half written and hidden partially in his desk shelf. I read it. "Dear journal, day 169 of 2025, I have officially felt like the lowliest person on Earth. I see lonely Kern walking home. He always looks so sad, and I feel responsible. I shouldn't have picked a fight with him. He was trying to help me, and he never treated me like a little kid. I feel so much remorse, but what can I do? It's over the line for me now. I badly want to be his friend again. I miss those innocent days where we would chat endlessly. Now, I can only cling onto the memories of those days. Got to go now. Dad's calling me. Write to you later!" Two tears fell onto the diary. Those were mine. So, this was what Jared felt. He wanted to apologize, but he thought he was over the line. My heart ached, and it was almost too hard to bear as I gripped his diary tightly. Oh, Jared, I have long forgiven you! I wish I had seen this earlier. He was such a lost spark. He could have shaped a world with his football skills! I know he would have. He was amazing, but his fate was sealed. He was gone now, just a lost friend, one I will never forget.
All by me.
