“There is nothing on this earth more to be prized than true friendship.” (Thomas Aquinas)

Sometimes it is hard for people to have a true friendship in their lives, especially for an introvert person like me. It is even harder to be close with a stranger and become his/her best friend because when I meet someone new, I’m not usually the first one to start an interesting conversation.

Not only my character, but the shadow of my past affects my thoughts when I try to judge something or someone correctly, which will take me more time than normal people to become a best friend with someone.

However, I am lucky enough to have some best friends who I can trust and sincerely share almost corners of my soul with. We are childhood friends and have known each other for over 10 years. Each of us has different character and grow up in different situation of the family, but we have the same faith for each other.

I still remember the first time when I met one of my best friends. It was almost 11 years ago when I was at grade seventh. I was a new student because I just finished required process after requesting to change to the normal class from the special Chinese class in my middle school.

Then when I stood outside the classroom and looked inside to find anyone who could help me, the monitor immediately came to the door and welcomed me warmly with her special mixed Southern and Northern voice. Her name is Phuong Linh, who I did not know that she would become my best friend at the time.

Other classmates also welcomed me, but surprisingly I felt immediately comfortable with Linh than anyone else. At that moment, I really wanted to become a close friend with her.

I also became one of the monitors of that class because of my outstanding achievement from grade six. This gave me more of a chance to be closer with her because we needed to work together to manage our class.

After school every day, we would come to the small temple next to school to pray and then have something to eat from street food stores such as fried fish balls or a cup of boba tea. I also usually came to her house near the school to take a nap because I did not have anyone to stay and have lunch with when my parents were busy working after just getting divorced recently.

Linh is an extravert person; she is smart, kind and humorous, which makes me smile a lot when talking with her. She was born in a well-to-do family, but she preferred to live simply and study hard rather than indulge in play. What makes me feel comfortable with her? I think it is her honesty and straightforwardness.

If Linh hates you, she will say directly in front of you that she does not like you. If she thinks you do something wrongly, she will tell you and ask you to change or correct your fault. Sometimes you may feel hurt when she tells you straightforwardly, but it is better than some friends speaking against you behind your back.

A strong friendship does not mean that we never have trouble with each other. I still remember that there used to be a cold war between both of us because of the sudden “devil” in my heart at grade ninth. At that time, I did not recognize my character was changed negatively. I was so stressed about life and study.

I was under the pressure of passing the national exam to get into high school and getting high achievement for my school’s History department when we competed with other schools in the city. Thus, I was not innocent and nice anymore; I was so aggressive and ambitious, and I also became easily jealous with anyone who had better things than me.

Linh and my other best friend whose name is Thao Vy, one of the prettiest and most talented girls in my school, immediately told me how I changed. However, I did not believe in their words. I was so stubborn, and we did not talk with each other for over one month even though we sat next to each other.

Once I saw Linh and Thao Vy cry because my jealousy caused the misunderstanding between them and my professor. I was disabused and decided to apologize them. Thankfully, they forgave me and even helped me to find the “real side” in my heart.

We have grown up together like siblings. I always appreciate that they never let me go even though I made them hurt. They decided to hold my hands and pull me from the darkness of my soul.

They also spent time with me when my sister passed away; Linh even ran to the hospital at midnight with her grandmother to comfort me and my mom. I always appreciate that and never forget. They never leave me alone or feel lonely. We have taught each other to grow up strongly, and we trust and understand each other.

This will be the 11^th year since I first met Linh and 12^th year since I first met Thao Vy. Even though we are busy and far from each other now because I am studying abroad, we still usually keep in touch and sometimes have some crazy and silly chats through social medias with each other. I will never leave them alone when they need me.

Personally, I hate a self-interested friendship; that’s why I spent more time on understanding and becoming closer with my friends. If someone does not need me anymore, I will let him/her go. But for Linh and Thao Vy, I cannot because we have been through so many things together for nearly a half of my life. I hope I can maintain this beautiful friendship, and I hope this friendship will be pure like this forever.

“Remember you don’t need a certain number of friends, just a number of friends you can be certain of." (Jelly)