The Big Decision

By: Niketa Nerurkar...
This is a story on how a kid has to make a decision which he feels is the biggest decision of his life.


It was the first day of sixth grade. Oh yes, you could definitely tell that. New bright red notebooks with the crispness of new pages, the smell of erasers that were in such perfect shape and best of all, a new school. Yes, Andrew was very excited for his first day of school. Except for one thing.

Andrew’s first day of school started like any other. First was to wake up half and hour early, then take a long time for his shower and then having breakfast. Breakfast on the first day of school was always chocolate chip pancakes with whipped cream and chocolate milkshake.

Andrew was a boy who was so robust that he looked like he was in eighth grade. His appearance was very intimidating but at heart, Andrew was as gentle as a lamb. He wouldn’t hurt a fly.

Andrew made some friends while playing at the park. There was the Calico which was the ‘cool crowd’ and there was Danny. Danny was not ‘cool’. He was someone who you could count on. A nice type of kid. Andrew had learnt that during the summer. But the Calico, they always picked on kids like Danny. And this summer Andrew had gotten the chance to be best friends with the Calico. Of course he needed time and it was decided that he would have to tell them by the end of the first day of school. And that was today. That was what Andrew was worried about. He had to make a decision that would describe his life… Was he ready for it???

While walking to school, Andrew thought about his decision. Did he want to be noticed all the time in school? Yes maybe, if it was in a good way, of course. Andrew would easily fit in because of his built. But was the Calico a good way? He thought about Danny, what he had said when he told him. How his face fell, but still cheerfully said “Hey we can still be friends”. Was that the type he wanted? Could he be a good friend to Danny and have enough courage to face the Calico? And even if he would, how would he benefit from it?

When he reached school, Andrew couldn’t feel his feet. He gazed through the crowd outside of school. Andrew wasn’t interested about the appearance of school. It wasn’t important.

He finally found the Calico, giving a wedgie to Danny. Andrew took a deep breath and with his meanest look said “Hey, get off of my best friend.” And that was that. Astonished, the Calico let go of Danny. “Thanks Andrew. You’re a great friend.” And before entering 6A, Andrew knew that he had made someone’s life better.

And at that moment itself, when Danny and Andrew looked at each other, something strange clicked. They some how knew that their friendship would never fail, no matter what.