When I was younger, I had a best friend, like everybody else. Her name was Amira and we used to do everything together. My life was amazing and it could not have gotten better.

Then, in third grade, two new children came to my school: Radha and Niharika. Niharika was friendly but, unusually, Radha was not. Radha was a bit mean to me and I did not like it.

One day, after our class came back from sports, Radha pointed out a mistake I made while playing football. Radha looked so sweet and sincere that it was hard to believe she had actually said something mean.

She started to get on my nerves more and more, and one day I exploded. After our fight we were seething with rage.

Months later, the fight between us was over, and we agreed that we would be friends, but not best friends. I was not elated about the idea.

The next year, in fourth grade, Radha became the least of my worries. My parents told me that we were soon moving to the city of Bangalore. I loved my school, Riverside School, so much that I could not bear to leave. I did not know how my friends would take the news, so I only told Amira. I had to leave in the middle of the term and that made it even worse.

As it turned out, eight months later my family returned to Ahmedabad, and I was ready to start fifth grade at my old school. When I entered through the gates, all my friends came and hugged me.

Radha and I hung out together a lot more now, as though the coolness between us had never happened. As we got to know each other more, we felt friendlier. And when we decided to be best friends, the little stiffness that was still there washed away into the deep ocean where it would never be found again.

From this experience, I learned that there is a good side to everyone. You just need to spend enough time with them to understand their good qualities before you judge them. I learned that we should readily give respect to everyone. Going away to Bangalore made me realize that sometimes when people are new to a place they are scared and they do mean things to make themselves feel strong. Everyone makes mistakes, but everyone deserves a second chance.

Now, I am in sixth grade. While Amira and Niharika have moved to other schools, Radha, several other girls, and I continue to be the best of friends. No matter how they come and go, our friends will always remain in our hearts.