Tina was taking a deep breath for the fourth time in the last 5 minutes. She has been doing this a lot lately. It was the last day of grade 9. Tina was ready, wearing her favorite boot-cut jeans and a white crop top. She tried on her lavender jacket, which looked fantastic, but she decided not to wear it to school as it had memories she didn't want to remember. Tina adjusted her curly hair and tinted her lips with lip balm, applying sunscreen on light brown skin.

It was the result day; the weather was warm although she was not feeling warm while entering the classroom with her parents. Miss Samyukta welcomed Tina and her parents with a pleasant smile. Tina had done well in her exams and got all A’s in every subject. Tina’s parents were expecting some more information about her behavior and social circle in school. 

Tina felt a sudden ache in her heart. Ms. Samyukta plainly said that kids have lots of emotional changes at this age. Tina has good behavior, and she has started realizing the difference between good and bad. She is trying to build her new friends. Anyway, the new academic year is starting and she can have a fresh start. 

Tina’s mother seemed worried. Her dad was glad with the grades. According to Tina’s dad, if grades are good then whatever, and however Tina is managing, her studies are on a positive track. 

Tina’s mother knew something had changed in the past month. Tina had no calls from her regular friends and the nagging for permission to go out had stopped in the past few days. 

Tina’s mother knew the teacher could hardly retrospect on these matters. So she decided that in the next few days, she would talk to Tina. 

As Tina and her parents stood up to leave the class. Tina saw her so-called best friend Naomi entering the classroom. Naomi was looking ecstatic in a bubblegum pink crop top and light blue short jeans with the same lavender jacket as her. Tina gulped and moved out of the class with her parents. 

Tina’s mom noticed the distance between the two friends. Tina’s dad offered Baskin Robbins ice cream to celebrate Tina’s discipline and hard work in her studies. He encouraged her to aim higher as she has potential. However, Tina knew it was the isolation from her friends that had her achieve these grades.

As they reached home, Tina’s mom was impatient and wanted answers to a lot of questions. She had been waiting for a long time for Tina to come to her. 

Tina's mom couldn’t wait any longer and she didn’t want Tina to feel a lack of confidence in her. So, with a lot of thought, Tina’s mom said, “ Tina, you must not burden yourself with confusion. You should ask for help when in stress. It is not a compulsion that you have to solve your problems by yourself. ”

Tina burst into tears. Sobbingly she kept saying, That is what I did, mummy. 

When Tina felt comforted and calm, she confessed what had happened. Mummy, this year on Valentine's Day, things were a lot different in school. Naomi was acting a lot differently than before. She wanted to try uncomfortable clothes like actresses and models. We had friends from higher grades and one of the girls even shared articles on the products used to enhance our bodies to become actresses. Naomi was eager to try everything. 

I was not comfortable staying with Naomi. But she was my best friend since grade 5, and how could I leave her? I stopped going with Naomi's new friends. She was okay with it. However, she used to tell me to do her homework and projects so she could be out and enjoy herself. 

I still felt Naomi would come to her senses, eventually. I tried to make new friends. I felt they all had questions about why am I without Naomi. There was a talent fest going on in the school. We were all sitting in the Auditorium. Naomi gave me a chit to pass on to the girl from our class. I did not check it, I should have. Naomi’s new higher-grade friends had written tips to follow to have basic body figures.

This was it. I felt so bad for the girl. I had to stand up for myself and ask for help. I told our school counselor to keep it discreet. The school counselor took action to help the girl who was bullied by Naomi and her friends. Naomi and her friends had some rigid ways on how all the girls must look. I finally stood up and started saying no. 

It is okay to lose bad friends, mummy, then to become a bad person and hurt someone. I hope that Naomi finds a way to become good. My heart aches so badly mummy when I do not want to do something, but I have to do it because I am scared of losing friends. But I had to gather a lot of courage to do it. 

Tina's grades didn't give her mom the much pride and satisfaction, that Tina's positive self-esteem did.. Tina unconsciously built her positive self-esteem. 

Tina was creating boundaries to accept the kind of people she wanted in her life. Tina was building a strong sense of good ethics. She has started learning to say NO to the things that don't fall into her subconscious beliefs.

Tina’s mom had a tiny tear and a smile. She was at ease about how her daughter was already ready for life. She was confident that her daughter would strive for righteous happiness.