The False Friend

Friendship can really start anywhere. In this particular case, it was in JSS1, precisely on a rainy Monday morning. It's funny how a friend’s name is imprinted in one’s mind forever. I can’t forget Chiamaka. She was tall, slim, buoyant. Verbally she talked and laughed, and that made people notice her everywhere, while I was the introverted type always at the back in class. That day she walked up to me, drew her chair close to me and said “You look too quiet. We should be friends.”

We were joined at the hip. In fact, folks referred to us as the twins though there was no special resemblance between us. We’d share food, walk home together, whisper secrets to each other, and then protect each other. If someone hurt me, she stood up for me. If she cried, am the one she clung to. I thought she was my sister.
But things started changing.

The teacher in JSS3 selected me to represent the school in a writing competition. I was so excited. I practiced for days and even read my essay to Chiamaka. She clapped and told me that I would win.

I searched but couldn’t find my essay in my bag on the day of the contest. Panic set in. I had hastily scribbled a new one, but it just wasn’t very good. I didn’t even place in the top three. Lo and behold, that evening I found my missing essay neatly folded at the bottom of my bag. I convinced myself, maybe I folded it and placed it elsewhere, but at the back of my mind small part of me asked how.

In SS1, a new boy joined our class. The boy's name is Uche. He is a very funny and friendly boy. He jokes and play with everyone. But Chiamaka noticed. She asked questions like, “What did Uche say today?” or “Why is he always with you?” I laughed it off.

One early morning when I opened my locker, I found a written note theory which say "stay away from uche because he already have a girlfriend".

I felt ashamed. That evening, I cried and told Chiamaka I would avoid him. She rubbed my back and said, “It’s for your own good.”

Later, I found out Uche never wrote that note. He had actually wanted to ask me out, but someone told him I wasn’t interested. That “someone” was Chiamaka.

Although I forgive her thinking she was just being too protective.

Here it was made known. A scholarship had been announced in our school for the best science student. He worked hard, read deep into the night, and topped the class. The scholarship was his. I raced to Chiamaka with the news. She embraced me and said she was proud. But that evening, I heard her talking to another girl. She said, “She is not worth it, she cheats, and she only copies my notes and acts like she’s bright.”

Those words really shook me. The girl I thought I could trust was talking bad about me when I wasn't around.

I pulled away at that moment. No secret sharing, no waiting for her after school. We talked later on but just things like homework. Nothing more.
She felt the change. One day she asked, “Why are you so far?” I put on a smile and said, “I am fine.” But I wasn’t fine.

Months later, I won a science fair project. As I stood on stage with my certificate, I looked into the crowd. Chiamaka was clapping, but her eyes told the truth. They weren’t happy. They were bitter.

In that moment, I understood. She never wanted me to succeed. She wanted me behind her.

Not all evil comes from outside. Sometimes it’s the one who sits next to you. The one smiling in your face but cutting you in secret.

Years rolled by. We went to different universities. Now and then, she would ping me online, asking how I was doing. I would respond politely, but the connection was lost.
Still, I remember her sometimes. The laughter, the food we shared, the times we walked under one umbrella in the rain. It hurts to know those memories were mixed with jealousy.

But I’ve learned. Not everyone who calls you “bestie” wants the best for you. Some want your light to go out. Some hold your hand with one palm and a knife with the other.

I don’t hate Chiamaka. She was part of my story. She taught me a hard lesson. Not all friendships are true. Some are just masks hiding envy.

Now I’m careful. I still laugh, I still smile, but I guard my heart. I protect my dreams. I have learned to keep my light safe.

Because I know what it feels like to have a false friend. And I will never let that happen again.

Cover image generated by openAI