The first day of school is always filled with so much excitement as most of us get to reunite with our friends. During the holidays we all take holidays and this makes meeting up with friends almost impossible. Due to the long period we are away from each other and this first day of school is like a reunion. It was no different this year when schools re-opened I was very eager to meet my friends after the Christmas break. One of my friends had travelled to the Maasai Mara and I could not wait to hear all her stories.
As usual we reported to our halls of residence in school luckily, this time I got a new room mate and I was glad. My former one was not very neat and this was such a bother to me as I prefer to have my room clean and in order. This was an awesome way to start my session in school. That night as usual we went for a party where we are all welcomed back to school. All of us looked forward to attending it as that was the perfect place to catch up on the gossip. In fact I had bought a special dress for this occasion and I could not wait to wear it.
The time came and Sophie and I went off to the party I was dressed in my short blue dress and my silver shoes. I was sure today I would fit in perfectly with the popular girls who looked down on us; the athletic girls. Personally I never take time to dress in cool clothes but that night I took the initiative to look good. I knew the people who knew me would say I was trying too hard. All their thoughts and comments were not a reason to hold me back. As I had expected once we went in, the group of girls we met at the entrance were the first to comment.
We went straight for the cocktails and the drinks. As much as I loved going out with friends I usually preferred to have a soft drink. On that day I decided to break loose and have a few shots of tequila. That was enough to get me to the dance floor. My friends joined me and we were having a good time before Anna the most popular girl in class came to where we were. She wanted us to share some drinks with her friends. We had more shots and they were all happy that I looked better than usual.
I had always been against this group of girls who thought they were better than all of us. Despite this opinion I had of them I still felt appreciated when they asked me to join them. I remember Sophie dragging me to the washrooms and trying to talk me out of drinking too much. I did not listen and left the party with Anna and her other friends to an unknown destination. We stopped in front of one of the shops in town; I thought we were going shopping. Inside we fitted many clothes and since the owner was the mother to one of us we were free to try out anything. I looked great in some pants and Anna offered to buy them for me.
We went to the next store, one that sold jewels, and Anna had me shop lift a pair of earrings as a way of paying back her favor of buying me pants. The owner obviously caught us and detained us in the shop for questioning. Since I was the one who was caught, the man released the others. I was shocked that after their release they left me behind. Fortunately, I convinced the man to forgive me and I promised to pay for the earrings. I had to call my friend Sophie to bring me money, as much as she was disappointed with me she showed up. That night I felt so stupid for being so gullible and putting myself in such a situation.
In my life I had never been influenced to do anything I did not up hold to but on this particular night I went beyond and ended up taking too much alcohol that led me to shop lift. I learnt to accept myself as I am and not try to be what others want me to be. I always thought I had enough confidence in me but I realized it takes a strong will to keep myself from going astray. Friends are important and the ones I had were good enough for me so I did not have to change and get new ones.
