English Original
These days, having a best friend seems so important to girls. However, I learned the hard way that having one best friend is not the way to go. It's much better to have many great friends.
When I started sixth grade, I was excited because my friend Jennifer was at the same middle school. I was convinced we'd be the best of friends. At first, things were great. She introduced me to her friend Amy, and we had fun together. I wasn't worried about making new friends because I had them.
Then things changed. Jennifer was very controlling. If I hung out with other people, she'd think I was "mad at her and Amy." So, I didn't make new friends, and being her friend became a struggle. Jennifer wanted to be the leader of our group. Amy and I were never partners; it was always about who got to be Jennifer's partner. We both wanted to be her number one, and being her friend became the most important thing.
I always waited for them after class. Sometimes, they'd walk right past me as if I weren't there. Yet, I kept waiting. We often gossiped about others, and I realized nobody was good enough for Jennifer. She had a list of bad things about everyone, even Amy and probably me.
After months of this, I had changed. I was moody, depressed, lonely, and rarely smiled. I often felt like crying because I felt so left out.
Near the end of the school year, something snapped. I was sick of being treated poorly and battling for friendship. I stopped sitting with Jennifer at lunch and stopped waiting for her. She quickly said I was "mad at her." I explained I just wanted more friends, but for Jennifer, it was all or nothing. Our friendship fell apart.
It was tough at first, but I found other girls Jennifer had labeled as "moody," "snobby," or "mean." They were actually the sweetest, friendliest people. They thought I was like Jennifer at first but realized I wasn't.
Now in seventh grade, I have tons of friends. We support each other, have fun, and are all equal. I smile all the time and never feel alone. Having many friends means it doesn't hurt if two of them do something without me. We're one big group.
Sixth grade was horrible, but it taught me a lot. It's better to have ten or twenty awesome friends than just one best friend. I still wish Jennifer could understand. I want to be friends with her, but I can't limit myself to one friendship. Even though I lost a friend, I am a happier person.
中文翻译
如今，拥有一个最好的朋友对女孩们来说似乎非常重要。然而，我艰难地认识到，只有一个最好的朋友并非良策。拥有许多很棒的朋友要好得多。
当我开始上六年级时，我很兴奋，因为我的朋友詹妮弗在同一所中学。我确信我们会是最好的朋友。起初，一切都很美好。她把我介绍给她的朋友艾米，我们一起玩得很开心。我并不担心交新朋友，因为我有她们。
后来情况变了。詹妮弗控制欲很强。如果我和其他人一起玩，她会认为我“生她和艾米的气了”。所以，我没有交新朋友，而做她的朋友变成了一种挣扎。詹妮弗想成为我们小团体的领导者。艾米和我从来不是搭档；这总是关于谁能成为詹妮弗的搭档。我们都想成为她的第一，做她的朋友成了世界上最重要的事。
下课后我总是等她们。有时，她们会径直从我身边走过，好像我不存在一样。然而，我还是继续等。我们经常议论别人，我意识到对詹妮弗来说，没有人足够好。她对每个人都有份缺点清单，甚至包括艾米，可能也有我。
这样过了几个月，我变了。我变得喜怒无常、抑郁、孤独，很少微笑。我常常想哭，因为我觉得自己被排斥在外。
临近学年末，我的情绪爆发了。我受够了被恶劣对待，受够了为友谊而战。我不再和詹妮弗一起吃午饭，也不再等她。她很快说我在“生她的气”。我解释说我只是想交更多朋友，但对詹妮弗来说，要么全有，要么全无。我们的友谊破裂了。
起初很艰难，但我找到了其他被詹妮弗贴上“喜怒无常”、“势利”或“刻薄”标签的女孩。她们实际上是最善良、最友好的人。她们起初以为我像詹妮弗，但后来发现我并非如此。
现在上七年级了，我有很多朋友。我们互相支持，玩得开心，而且人人平等。我一直面带微笑，从不感到孤独。拥有许多朋友意味着，即使其中两个人一起做什么事而没叫我，我也不会受伤。我们是一个大团体。
六年级很糟糕，但它教会了我很多。拥有十个或二十个很棒的朋友，比只有一个最好的朋友要好。我仍然希望詹妮弗能理解。我想和她做朋友，但我不能把自己局限在一段友谊里。尽管我失去了一个朋友，但我是一个更快乐的人。