Locations: West and Central Zones
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Thursday, March 3, 2011

Essay #12 My Friend, A Thief

             It was the “Great Singapore Sale”. Mary and I wanted to buy gifts for our mothers at Robin's Departmental Store. She was my best friend and we used to do things together, like playing in the neighbourhood park and shopping. Two years my senior, Mary was easy-going and generous towards her friends. However, she was sometimes careless about things and had to be reminded to return things borrowed from friends.

            While I was looking at some scarves, I saw Mary casually slipped a hairpin into her pocket! I stood rooted to the ground for a moment, but gradually regained my senses. I had read many newspaper reports about the punishment for shoplifting. I was worried. The thought of Mary being caught and sent to the Girls' Home crossed my mind.

            “Mary! It is so careless of you to just put something you like into your pocket before paying for it!”          I heard myself reprimanding my friend. Mary was startled and turned around to look at me.

             “Mind your own business!” she sulked and rolled her eyes before returning the hairpin to the shelf. She glared at me before hastily walking away. Mary had been ignoring and avoiding me since the incident happened a year ago.

            “Teenager Caught with Stolen T-Shirt under her School Uniform, sent to Girls’ Home” the news headline screamed at me one morning, as I passed the newsstand. Mary’s photograph was splashed across the page. My heart suddenly felt very heavy. Till today, I am still wondering if I could have done more to help Mary turn over a new leaf.