It was a typical Ash day at Jewel Girls High School Junior, with students gathering under the large tree in the school yard. The day felt special, though, as a pastor had come to speak to the students. This time, however, the topic seemed different from the usual talks. The pastor was going to explain the concept of friendship, something many of the students, including Rita, had been eager to hear about.
Standing before the group, the pastor began, "Friends come in many forms. Some are positive, and some can be negative, but all are important. Let me explain the different types of friends you might encounter in life. We have the minus friend, the divisional friend, the additional friend, and the multiplicational friend."
Rita listened closely, curious about what the pastor meant. The pastor continued, "A minus friend is someone who drains your energy, constantly bringing negativity into your life. They take away from your happiness and well-being without adding anything positive. These are the friends who hold you back and make you feel worse about yourself."
Rita's mind instantly wandered to Anne. Over the past few days, their friendship had been tested, and though Anne was never intentionally hurtful, Rita had begun to feel drained by the constant misunderstandings. Rita had always been the one trying to help Anne, and sometimes, it felt as if she was the one left standing alone in the struggle.
The pastor then spoke about the divisional friend. "A divisional friend," he said, "is someone who creates conflict, either between you and others or even between you and yourself. They divide people, spread rumors, or stir up unnecessary drama. While they may appear friendly on the surface, they leave you feeling confused and torn."
Rita felt a chill at the thought. Could Anne be one of those divisional friends? She wasn't sure, but there had been moments when Anne's teasing had made her feel embarrassed and exposed. It wasn't intentional, Rita knew that, but sometimes Anne's words had created division between them, even if it was unspoken.
Then, the pastor moved on to the additional friend. "An additional friend is someone who adds value to your life. They bring positivity, joy, and support. You feel better about yourself when you're around them. They encourage your growth, and with them, you feel like you can conquer anything."
Rita smiled. Anne had certainly been this kind of friend to her, especially when she just got to the class. There were countless memories of shared laughter, silly jokes, and inside secrets. Anne had added so much light to Rita's life, and despite the recent tension, Rita couldn't forget how much she'd always valued that companionship. Though not that much but she still value it.
Finally, the pastor spoke about the multiplicational friend. "And then," he said, "we have the multiplicational friend. This friend not only adds value to your life but multiplies your joy and success. They help you become a better person, always challenging you in the best ways. Their impact on your life goes beyond simple support. They help you grow, succeed, and become the best version of yourself."
Rita's thoughts immediately shifted to Evelyn. Evelyn wasn't just a friend — she was someone who always made Rita feel empowered and motivated. Rita knew that she could always count on Evelyn to push her toward her dreams, even when things seemed impossible. Evelyn's support didn't just lift Rita's spirit, it multiplied her confidence and belief in herself.
The pastor finished his speech, and the students began to discuss amongst themselves, reflecting on their friendships. Rita's mind was swirling with thoughts about the people in her life — Anne, Evelyn , and everyone else she had known over the years. Each friend had a different role to play in her life, and she realized just how important it was to surround herself with people who helped her grow.
Later that day, Rita and Anne found themselves alone in the classroom, the tension from earlier in the week still hanging between them. Anne broke the silence with an awkward smile.
"Hey, Rita, I'm sorry if I hurt you with what I said before," Anne said softly. "I didn't mean it. Sometimes I get caught up in teasing, but I never want to make you feel bad."
Rita looked at Anne, her heart softening. She realized that Anne had never truly been a minus friend to her. Instead, she was someone who, like many friendships, sometimes made mistakes, but was still worth holding onto. Rita gave Anne a warm smile and replied, "It's okay. I know you didn't mean it. I just... I think we both need to communicate better."
Anne nodded, her eyes sincere. "I agree. And I really appreciate you, Rita."
As they spoke, Rita felt the weight of their misunderstanding lift. Maybe Anne wasn't a perfect friend, but no one was. Rita had learned that friendships, even the complicated ones, were still valuable and worth nurturing.
Just as they were about to leave, Rita looked at Anne and said, "You know, I think you're definitely an additional friend."
Anne raised an eyebrow, a small grin forming on her face. "Oh, really?"
"Yeah," Rita said with a chuckle. "You bring a lot of joy to my life. But I think I need a multiplicational friend too. I could use someone to challenge me to do even better."
Anne laughed, her usual playful tone returning. "Well, I think I can do that. Maybe I'm a multiplicational friend in training."
Rita laughed along, the tension between them completely gone. As they walked out of the classroom together, Rita felt a renewed sense of understanding about her friends and the roles they played in her life. No matter what type of friend Anne was, they had a bond worth protecting, and with that thought, Rita felt hopeful for the future.
---
The students listened attentively, absorbing the wisdom the pastor shared that day. But for Rita, one phrase lingered longer than the rest—the minus friend. Her mind raced as she thought about her friendship with Evelyn. Was it possible that she had been a minus friend to anyone, especially to Evelyn? The thought gnawed at her, and she couldn't help but wonder if there was truth to it.
Later that afternoon, as Rita and Evelyn walked through the schoolyard, the usual chatter between them was absent. It felt as if something was about to break the silence. Rita wasn't sure why, but the air between them seemed thicker, more strained.
"Rita," Evelyn began hesitantly, her voice low, "someone told me that I should move away from you... that you're a 'minus' friend.'"
Rita froze in her tracks, her heart skipped a beat. She turned to face Evelyn, a feeling of disbelief flooding her chest. "Really? Who said that?" she asked, her words coming out more sharply than she intended. She thought Evelyn might be joking, but the look on her face was serious.
Evelyn glanced away for a moment, her fingers nervously twirling a strand of hair. "I'm not joking, Rita. They said you're holding me back. Maybe it's time we separate."
The words fell between them like stones, heavy and final. Rita's body seemed to freeze, the weight of Evelyn's statement settling in her chest like a cold stone. The world around her seemed to blur, but her focus remained locked on Evelyn. The girl who had once been her closest friend—the girl she'd trusted with her heart, her secrets, her everything—was now standing here, telling her that their bond had been broken.
Rita could feel tears prickling at the corner of her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. She would not cry in front of Evelyn. Not like this. "You're serious?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, shaky with disbelief.
Evelyn nodded slowly, her face softening with regret, but her eyes never met Rita's. "I'm sorry, Rita. I really am. But I think this is for the best."
Rita could hardly breathe. It felt as though the ground beneath her feet had vanished, leaving her suspended in a sea of confusion and hurt. How had they come to this? How had their friendship become a burden in Evelyn's eyes?
"I don't know what to say," Rita said, her voice barely a breath. "I've never tried to be a minus friend. I've always tried to be there for you. If I've done something wrong, I need to know. I want to fix it... but you won't even tell me what happened."
Evelyn shifted uncomfortably, her fingers nervously twisting a strand of her hair. "I didn't want to believe it at first," she murmured, avoiding Rita's gaze. "But... I don't know. Lately, I've been feeling like maybe I need someone who brings more... positivity. Someone who lifts me up. And I've been wondering if that's really you."
Rita's heart dropped. The words hit her harder than she had anticipated. More positivity? Lifts me up?What was that supposed to mean?
"Are you saying I'm not positive enough for you? I've always tried to support you, Evelyn. Every step of the way!" Rita's voice was sharp, the sting of hurt cutting through her words.
Evelyn bit her lip, her eyes avoiding Rita's. "It's not just that... It's everything. I've been thinking about how we've been lately—how we've both changed. Sometimes I feel like you're holding me back. Maybe we're not as good for each other as we thought."
Rita felt like the wind had been knocked out of her. She had always prided herself on being a good friend to Evelyn—on standing by her no matter what. The thought that she might be a hindrance instead of a help was unbearable.
"But Evelyn," Rita whispered, her voice trembling, "I've been there for you. Through everything. I've always been your friend, haven't I?"
Evelyn looked up, her eyes softening, but her expression remained conflicted. "You've been there, yes. But maybe... maybe I need space to figure things out. I'm sorry, Rita, but I think I need a change. I can't keep pretending everything is fine when it's not."
The silence between them felt thick, heavy with unspoken emotions. Rita's mind was spinning, trying to piece together what was happening. She had never seen this coming. A minus friend? How could she be that? She wasn't perfect, but she had always tried her best.
"I don't understand," Rita said quietly, her voice barely a whisper. "You don't have to listen to what other people say. I'm still your friend. Why are you letting them come between us?"
Evelyn sighed deeply, the weight of the decision settling on her shoulders. "It's not just what they said, Rita. It's... everything. I've been feeling like something's missing. Like I need to be with people who bring out the best in me. And I think... I think that means I need to let go of some things."
Rita's chest tightened as if she couldn't breathe. The idea of losing Evelyn, of being cast aside as a "minus friend," was too much to bear. She had never wanted to be anything but a positive influence in Evelyn's life. But now, she didn't even know where she stood.
Evelyn's expression softened for a brief moment, but the distance between them still felt like an impenetrable wall. "I'm sorry, Rita. I really am. I just need some space, and I think... I think you need it too."
The words hung in the air between them like an unspoken goodbye. Rita felt as though she had just lost the one person who had meant the most to her, but deep down, she knew she couldn't force Evelyn to stay. She needed to respect her friend's wishes, even if it hurt more than anything else.
Rita stood there, numb, as Evelyn walked away. The weight of her words crushed Rita's chest, and she fought the urge to collapse to the ground. How had it come to this? She had always believed their friendship was unbreakable. But now, as the sound of Evelyn's retreating footsteps faded into the distance, Rita realized that something fragile and precious had shattered in her heart.
---
The afternoon dragged on, but Rita couldn't focus on anything. Her thoughts were consumed with the conversation, and every time she closed her eyes, the image of Evelyn's face—her words—echoed in her mind. "Maybe we just need time apart."
The church service that afternoon was meant to be a time of reflection, a time to remember the sacrifices of Ash Wednesday, but for Rita, it only deepened the pain. As the ashes were placed on her forehead, a symbol of repentance and renewal, Rita's heart felt heavier than ever. She didn't know how to move forward.
Was she really a "minus friend"? Was she really holding Evelyn back, just as the other person had said?
For the first time in a long time, Rita felt truly lost, her heart torn between trying to save a friendship she wasn't sure was worth saving and letting go of someone who had once been her everything.