My name is Elizabeth. I am 15 years old and live in Lagos. I have always had a lot of friends but when I look back they made me behave in ways I am not proud off.

In my former neighbourhood I was part of a big circle of girls. We were the ‘cool’ girls of our street.

The girls in the group never cared about anyone else but themselves. They didn’t look out for me. They encouraged me to do bad stuff. They laughed if I was rude to my parents. They thought that was cool.

I didn’t want to lose them as friends so I pretended I thought it was cool too.

We would tease girls on our street and laugh at their dressing or the way they look.

One day my parents told me we were moving away. I was so sad. I missed my friends even before I left them. I didn’t know what I would do without my girl gang.

I found myself in a new neighbourhood. It was full of new faces. I wasn’t the cool kid any more. I was the new kid without friends. The one some people made fun of.

But then I met Mary. She knew the difference between wrong and right. She spoke up for me whenever someone teased me. She took me in right away and made me feel welcomed.

She taught me about being a good person. I realize now that I was not a good person before.

I have learnt to treat people better. I no longer tease other girls or say mean things to them. I have also learnt not to follow the crowd just because I want to be popular or liked

We all need to behave like Mary or find friends that are like Mary. A good friend who will teach us how to behave properly and encourage you to be your best.

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