For the past few years, I have failed miserably at making friends. In eighth grade, I was separated from my best friends and placed into a new class for high school. My new classmates were all people I didn’t usually talk to. I tried to make friends, but my unsociable personality and lack of chances to communicate halted me from doing so.

I thought my life would be miserable without my old friends, but my idea turned out to be wrong. In the midst of ninth grade, I miraculously became desk mates with some boys in my class. I wanted to become part of their friend group. I wanted to know what it felt like to be friends with boys. However, I was shy, fearing they would not want to be friends with a girl they barely knew. What happened next proved that my worries were superfluous.

One Friday, we were doing worksheets and one question asked us to fill in the correct literacy device. One of my desk mates, Andy, was struggling, as was I. He turned around and asked for help, but the other boys seemed confused too. They started discussing with each other, and suddenly, Andy turned and asked me to join their conversation. He said: “I saw you struggling too. Let’s figure it out together.”

The other boys did not object. I was excited. Even though our answers were wrong after listening to the teacher’s explanation, it was the first time I felt included in their group and the beginning of a new friendship.

During a Socratic seminar, we publicly shared our opinions on a reading. While stating our different opinions, we realized the process of arguing was actually enjoyable. Our conversations later became more natural and we began talking like close friends in no time.

Ninth grade will soon be a part of my memory, but the precious lessons I learned from my friends will stay with me. Making genuine friends and learning together gave my first year of high school special meaning that I will cherish forever.