It was the first week of August, the beginning of my seventh grade in school. We walked up to our class after reciting the school song and the national anthem. As soon as we reached our new classroom and were settled comfortably, the class teacher came in and with her was a girl. The teacher introduced the girl as Maria, who had joined us that year.

I found Maria somewhat fascinating because of her confidence and the way she carried herself. She walked gracefully, had a trendy haircut and possessed very expensive and exclusive stationary items.

All of us were in awe of her and kept talking about her during the lunch break. It was as if she was pulling us along with an invisible thread. Soon, it became a custom to gather around her desk in the recess or a free period, to listen to her stories, which completely captivated us.

I started hanging out more with Maria and waving away my friends, telling them that I would catch up later on. I would eat lunch with her, sit beside her in classes and we would complete our classwork together. One day, she invited me to her house on the weekend. I couldn’t wait for it because I knew that such a sophisticated girl would surely have a posh house.

And I was right. It was a three-storey mansion with two dining rooms, a living room with plush couches, a bedroom for her parents and a lilac-coloured one for herself, a playroom and a servants’ quarter. Outside there was a large garage with a BMW and the latest model of a SUV.

Servants attended to Maria and catered to our every need. But I was shocked to see the ill-treatment she gave them. Around one in the afternoon, Maria and I were called down for lunch and were served with cod and lemon and balsamic-glazed steak roll. Though it was a wonderful meal, she complained that it was too dry and lacked some salt. Then, when she asked her parents if we could watch a movie, they refused. At this, she sharply talked back to them.

Around six in the evening, my mother came to pick me up. As I was saying goodbye to Maria, I profusely thanked her parents for having me over and told them that I had had a delightful time with their daughter.

From that day onwards, I spent most of my school time with Maria, casting my old friends aside. They started ignoring me too, but I did not dwell on that, because her company was much more interesting than theirs. The two of us would always be together.

A month later, I was studying for my math test when suddenly my younger brother came out from behind my chair and snatched away my laptop. I lunged at him furiously and shouted rudely in a way I had never done before.

Shocked, my mother came and saw me saying nasty things to him. I was immediately sent to my room and told to reflect on my rude reaction and work up an apology for misbehaving with my brother. An hour later, my mother entered and said that she had been noticing changes in me for many weeks. Rebuking my siblings had become a constant habit of mine and I was also talking back to the elders in the house.

I argued but eventually, I realised the error of my ways — all under the influence of Maria’s company. I was shocked at myself and felt that the fault was in me and that I should immediately resolve it by distancing myself from her toxic habits and behaviour.

Thus, I learned that all that glitters is not gold, and beneath a posh girl can lie an arrogant and boastful personality which cannot be admired in any way. Thus we should not forget who we are and get influenced easily by others.

Published in Dawn, Young World, April 1st, 2023