As sixth graders, kids were separating into groups, but I wasn't sure where I belonged.
Our teacher gave us a task called "secret friends" for the coming week.We were supposed to do nice
things 1 our friends without letting them know who was doing it.We could leave 2 notes or cards
either on their desks or in their backpacks. Before doing the task, with our eyes closed, from a basket, we
3 a name of a classmate who we were to secretly befriened over the next five days.
Soon, the task was turned into a competition of giving 4 instead of notes.Everyone was getting cool
presents except me.My friend followed the teacher's 5 without a fault.I received nothing but handmade
cards with nice words about me.
On the last morning, I finally got a package.When I 6 it, the girls around all 7 .It was perfumed
powder, an"old lady" gift.My face went red.
I tried to forget about the 8 gift, but when the same girls 9 it again during the break in the bathroom,
I joined in,"How stupid! My grandmother wouldn't 10 want it." The girls laughed at my 11 and left the
bathroom.Washing my hands, I let the water run through my fingers 12 I thought about my words. It
wasn't 13 like me to say things like that.
"I'm your secret friend." It was Rochelle. "I' m sorry about the gift," she whispered to me, tears 14 down
her face.
From a poor family, she was a 15 at school for those with rich parents.Yet she just took all the 16 and
the horrible treatment silently.
I was sick to my stomach as my 17 words ran through my mind.She had heard everything.How could I
have been so cruel?
Later I learned she had felt bad all week about not being able to leave me any cool present and her mum
had given up her only luxury (奢侈品).
And I had 18 everything for her.
I told her that I had only said those things to try to 19 .
"We aren't that different from each other, are we?" She smiled 20 .Her simple words, spoken from her
heart, found their way straight into mine. |