Emma had two exams that day — physics and history. She really hated physics. It was her worst subject. Alice looked at her, and then looked away quickly. Emma thought Alice looked pleased, because she didn’t have a problem with physics, she didn’t have a problem with anything...Miss Perfect!

“I thought we were friends, but she hasn’t spoken to me for two weeks now. she promised to help me go over for the physics exam too, but then she’s forgotten all my calls and texts. And when I rang her house, her mum just told me she was busy.” Emma thought angrily. At that moment, Mr. Read asked all the students into the exam room.

Emma couldn’t answer some physics questions. Suddenly she saw Alice sitting two rows in front of her. Emma couldn’t believe it! Alice was holding her phone on her knee under the table and reading from it. Is that how Alice always got such good grades? She felt really angry at Alice, and thought about telling the teacher, but...“Stop writing,” said Mr. Read and started to collect the exam papers. Oh no, Emma hadn’t answered two of the questions. She was going to fail again!

Emma wanted to talk to Alice at lunchtime, but she couldn’t find her anywhere. Emma went to the library to prepare for the history exam, which was her favorite. But she couldn’t concentrate. “Unfair! Alice was getting good grades by cheating all that time.” She thought about telling a teacher, but everyone would hate her if she did that. Just then, Mr. Read walked past her table. “Mr. Read...”

Emma was sitting behind Alice again in the history exam that afternoon. Mr. Read wanted her to look at Alice and agreed if she saw that Alice was cheating in the exam.

She was working on the last question when she saw that Alice had her phone under the table.

Emma was walking towards the school gate when she saw Alice waiting for her there.

Diana’s birthday was approaching, however, her usual excitement was now replaced with disappointment and pressure. Turning eleven means a lot to her, and she had always expected to throw a party surrounded by her friends. Sadly, this year was totally different. The heavy burden of homework and her parents’ struggling business weighed heavily on her, forcing Diana to make the difficult decision of not having a birthday party, even though it was an event she enjoyed dearly every year.

One day, during break, her best friend, Alice, with a curious look in her eyes, approached. “Are you going to have a birthday party this year?” asked Alice, sensing Diana’s sadness.

“No,” Diana sighed and replied sadly, “There’s just too much going on and my parents are going through financial difficulties.”

She smiled weakly, trying to conceal her immense disappointment and stress, but Alice saw through her pretence (假装) easily. Alice nodded thoughtfully and did not say anything. After the break, Diana saw her talking to one of their classmates, Sarah, secretively. Curious, Diana went over to them, but as soon as Alice saw her, she quickly walked away. Diana was startled by Alice’s strange actions and turned towards Sarah.

“What did she say?” Diana asked.

However, Sarah simply shrugged and walked away with Alice, leaving Diana standing there, feeling left out and anxious.

What is happening? Diana wondered anxiously. Are they keeping something from me?

As Diana’s birthday drew nearer, Alice was often found chatting softly with her other classmates. Whenever Diana went over to them, they would just walk away or tell her that they were talking about a secret which Diana was not allowed to know. Alice has never kept secrets from me before, Diana thought. Her heart fell. Even her friends were distancing themselves from her! She swung between confusion and sadness with each passing moment, desperately trying to figure out what was happening. Why were her friends distancing themselves from her? And what were they hiding?

On Diana’s birthday, she went to school, finding her classroom in total darkness.

Tears welled up in Diana’s eyes, her face brightening up with a broad smile.

More Than a Medical Kit

“Anybody have a bandage?” a voice rang down the dorm hallway.

It was our first week at college and we were all experiencing nervousness. I had forgotten to bring snacks for late nights but would never ask any of my roommates to share theirs. I was shy, always worried about fitting in a new situation and meeting people.

Several months before, I sat at my high school graduation party admiring my gifts and battling waves of post-high school sentimentality (多愁善感). Books were scattered around my feet. Laundry items, desk supplies — all well-intentioned and well-received. They would demonstrate their givers’ thoughtfulness over and over during my college career.

But one gift struck me as strange. I frowned when I opened it. Medicine? A small packet of pills and creams, ointments and so on lay within the wrappings. Who would give that as a gift? I turned and Jenny, my best friend, grinned (露齿而笑).

“You’ll need that once you’re at school,” She pointed out. “You won’t have to chase down the campus nurse for every cough. Besides, that might bring you luck and chance.” Hugging me tightly, she added.

Good point. She knew how anxious and frightened I felt about stepping onto a new journey, without her for company.

Not long after, in August, I packed my life into a borrowed truck and slipped the bag of medicine in with all my necessities. I hardly thought about it once I reached campus, caught in the whirlwind of unpacking, book-buying, scheduling, and meeting new people.

When “anybody have a bandage?” rang out in the dormitory hall that day, I remembered my little medicinal package.

I swallowed self-consciously. “Actually,” I gave a little wave, “I have one.”

“Great,” the girl jumped off her bed and walked toward me.

As I dug out the kit, we began to chat.

The little gift I had questioned now led me toward new friendships.