BEYOND THE PORTAL:
Unveiling the Power of Friendship
by Irene | 6th Grade
The first day of school was always an exciting time for me. As one of the popular girls, I knew that all eyes would be on me. I woke up feeling excited. I quickly got dressed and put on my makeup, making sure everything was perfect. I wanted to be flawless on my first impression back at school. My brown hair flowed down my back like a river and my sparkling brown eyes shone like the stars in the night sky. I walked with grace like a ballerina and tried to find my friends. I could feel all the attention I was getting.
Being popular and pretty had its perks, but it also came with a lot of pressure.
As I made my way through the crowded hallways, I felt a sense of anticipation that I couldn’t explain. I had a different feeling about this year, that I would be the first person to discover something awesome. I made my way to my locker, where my best friend Ji-Sun was waiting for me. She gave me a big hug and we chatted about our summer vacations.
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“So did you leave this country?” Ji-Sun asked.
“Of course I did leave South Korea, I went to the US and it was so fun,” I bragged.
“Lucky,” Ji-Sun said, pouting.
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After a few classes, I started to feel more comfortable. I had all my friends with me and we were having a great time catching up. But then I noticed a new kid in my class. He was wearing glasses and had messy hair, and he seemed to be really into his book.
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“Please introduce yourself to the class,” the teacher said, holding up her glasses. He stared blankly at everyone. I could tell that he was anxious. Ji-Sun turned towards me.
“Wow, we have another geek. I hoped for something more like a football player,” Ji-Sun giggled. I couldn’t believe that Ji-Sun was saying that.
“Well, y'all please be nice to him. You can go sit next to Mi-Young,” the teacher commanded. I raised my hand high while holding my new mechanical pencil. I felt like I was a statue of liberty. The new kid looked at me neutrally and sat next to me. Ji-Sun looked at me like she was giving me a signal that I was unlucky to have him sit next to me. I shrugged and didn’t pay much attention to him at first, but I couldn’t help but notice how he was different from everyone else. He had quiet confidence. He was really smart but he didn’t seek the spotlight or boast about his accomplishments. He seemed comfortable by himself, unaffected by the opinions of others.
Later that day, I found out that his name was Min-Su and he was not only a nerd, but also a football player. I couldn’t believe it. I was intrigued by him and wanted to get to know him better, but I didn’t want to risk ruining my reputation. So, I just kept my distance and watched him from afar.
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Days turned into weeks and I started to settle into our routine. One day, it was cheerleading and football auditions. Every year we get to compete with other countries and we represent Korea. Whoever is the best becomes the leader and the others become the lower positions on the team. As I was checking out my new cheerleading outfit that I got for free from the school, I suddenly bumped into a guy with a football outfit. I thought it would be one of those popular guys and I was so excited.
“Uh, watch where you are going,” he giggled. I looked up and saw that it was Min-su.
“Are you trying out for football?” I asked, trying to forget about the fall and the scene I made.
“Yea-ah,” Min-Su stuttered shyly. I picked up the football helmet he dropped and gave it back. I hoped that no one was looking and that they were too busy practicing for cheerleading or football. The sun shone and the wind blew hard. The weather was warning that this audition was important to my life. I realized that I forgot to tie my hair so I ran to my locker as fast as I could trying to find my hair-tie. I was so busy and hurried since I didn’t want to waste time.
As I got to my locker, I saw a strange purple portal. The portal was shimmering like the galaxy and it was swirling towards the middle endlessly. I turned around to see if anyone was also seeing this. I reached out my hand to see what it was and suddenly, I blacked out. I opened my eyes and found myself in a strange world. Everything around me was gray and the air was filled with ash. As I looked around, I realized that Min-su and Ji-Sun were standing next to me.
“How did you guys get in here?” I asked, confused.
“I found a portal that had suddenly appeared in front of me,” Min-su explained.
“Me too,” Ji-Sun agreed. It didn’t take a while until I realized that only the three of us all stepped through the portal that had suddenly appeared in front of us.
“Wow, this place is dead,” I shouted, taking in the sights around me. I heard the echo in the weird desolate wasteland.
“I know, right?” Min-su replied. Ji-Sun suddenly felt a wave of fear wash over her. She clutched at my arm, feeling overwhelmed and scared.
“I don’t like this,” she whispered, her voice shaking. “I want to go back.”
“It’s okay,” Min-su replied, gently patting her arm. “We’ll stick together. You will be okay.”
“I can’t trust you, I mean you are probably smarter than me but this world is strange,” Ji-Sun stuttered. “You will probably brag about it because you are better than me.”
“I would never do that. I am just trying to help,” Min-su stated.
At this point, I felt uneasy and scared but I wanted to be brave for Ji-Sun. So I stepped forward, taking Ji-Sun’s other hand.
“We’ll be okay. We’re in this together, I promise you,” I said. Slowly, Ji-Sun began to calm down, taking deep breaths as she looked around. As we journeyed through the strange world, trying to find a portal that lead out of this place, we had no idea what was ahead of us.
As we headed towards the sound of water, we all coughed in the dusty wind. As we got closer, I found that there was a deep and treacherous river. The water was swift and the currents were strong, making it nearly impossible to cross without getting swept away in the muddy river. We tried to find a way around, but there was no other path. We had to cross the river.
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“This river is too deep,” Ji-Sun said, her voice tinged with worry. “We’re never going to make it across.” I could tell that Ji-Sun was scared and her eyes were full of tears.
“We will if we work together,” Min-su replied, with a determined look on her face.
“I didn’t ask for your help,” Ji-Sun said, holding back her tears.
“We need a long stick to walk over or a strong platform.” I tried to look everywhere for easy places to do it while Min-su tried to figure out how to cross. In the distance, I found a short pole coming up from the ground.
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“Do you have a rope?” I asked. Min-su checked everywhere but then shrugged. I looked at Ji-Sun.
“I have a jump rope from nutrition,” Ji-Sun sniffed and whispered. She handed me a jump rope. I looked at the length of the jump rope and felt fear that it was too short. I looked around and I was sure that we couldn't do anything to cross.
“I think I have an idea,” Min-su shared. “What if you get your jacket and tie it to my jump rope and we can somehow hook it in the tree branch up there and swing?” I looked at Min-su and looked at Ji-Sun.
“I think we should take a different approach,” Ji-Sun suggested, her voice filled with hate. Min-su scoffed, his eyes narrowed.
“Why should we listen to you? I tried to be nice but you keep denying me. You’re always doing what you want,” Min-su argued. Ji-Sun’s brows furred in frustration.
“I’m only trying to help. We need a plan to navigate these challenges.” Min-su crossed his arms, a scowl etched on his face.
“Well, I don’t need your help. I can handle things on my own.”
The hate between them grew with each passing challenge. Min-su seemed determined to prove that he didn’t need Ji-Sun’s assistance, while Ji-Sun became increasingly frustrated with Min-su’s stubbornness.
“We need to put our rivalry aside,” I voiced. “To get across this river and to get out of here, we need to embrace cooperation and friendship.” Both Min-su and Ji-Sun exchanged skeptical glances, their guarded expressions revealing their doubts.
“Why won’t you cooperate with me, Ji-Sun?” Min-su asked, his voice tinged with annoyance. “We could combine your physical abilities with my strategic thinking to overcome this challenge.”
Ji-Sun crossed her arms, a scowl on her face. “I don’t need a nerd like you telling me what to do. I can handle things on my own.” Min-su’s eyes narrowed, hurt and frustrated. He had always admired Ji-Sun, thinking she was nice and hoping they could work as a team.
“You think just because I’m a nerd, I’m not capable of contributing?” Min-su retorted, his voice filled with determination. “We have different strengths, Ji-Sun. Together, we could accomplish so much more.”
Ji-Sun’s expression softened slightly. She had never considered the possibility that their different strengths could complement each other.
“I’ve never liked you because you’re a nerd,” Ji-Sun admitted.
“I always thought you looked down on me because I’m not as smart.” Min-su sighed, realizing the misunderstanding between them.
As the truth sank in, Ji-Sun began to see Min-su in a new light, as someone who valued his skills. "I didn’t realize we could be a team,” Ji-Sun said, her tone more open. “Maybe it’s time we put our differences aside and work together.”
With determination, we assessed the challenge before us. Drawing from Min-su’s strategic thinking, we devised a plan.
“We’ll make a makeshift bridge using fallen branches and rocks,” Min-su addressed. “By pooling our strengths, we can construct a path across.”
Though Ji-Sun looked hesitant, it was better than swinging, so we both agreed to follow Min-su’s plan. Side by side, we began to work for hours, Min-su gathering materials and Ji-Sun and I carefully placing to create a sturdy bridge. After hours, we completed the bridge. With cautious steps, we began our journey across the river, supporting and encouraging one another along the way.
As we ventured deeper, we found a maze. Min-su , Ji-Sun and I approached a narrow passage that led to a towering gate. But before we could react, the gate suddenly shut with a clang, and we were by ourselves.
“Min-su! Ji-Sun!” I called out, my voice trembling with panic. I rushed towards the gate, pounding on it. Tears welled up in my eyes as I realized the gravity of our separations. On the other side of the gate, their voices echoed back, mingling with the sounds of frustration and concern.
“We’re trapped! How do we find each other now?” Ji-Sun’s voice rang out. Fear gripped my heart, but I knew we couldn’t do anything.
“Don’t lose hope!” I called back, my voice determined. “We have to think of a way to reunite. Let’s search for clues or alternative paths.”
In my isolated corner of the maze, I faced the daunting challenge alone. The silence heard the weight of my footsteps as I ventured forth, trying to find a solution that would bring us back together. I stumbled upon a series of puzzles, all captivating and frustrating. One of them was a matching puzzle. I remembered when my dad used to always do puzzles. My dad always taught me but never interested me. However, I still can remember the strategy he uses to complete puzzles fast.
As I tried to find all the edge pieces, I could hear my friends but it was very muffled. Every puzzle I completed, I was getting closer to the exit where my friends were. With every solved riddle, I felt a glimmer of hope. I went straight, deeply into the mysteries, unraveling hidden mechanisms that activated the exit. As I pushed forward, determination helped me and thoughts of Min-su and Ji-Sun made me more determined. I knew we were stronger together, and I had to find a way to overcome this separation. Time seemed to blur as I solved puzzle after puzzle, navigating the twists and turns of the maze.
Finally, my efforts paid off as the locked door swung open, revealing a pathway that led me back to my friends. With my heart pounding, I rushed toward Min-su and Ji-Sun, a mix of relief and joy flooding over me. We embraced, tears of relief mingling with our laughter.
“We made it back together,” Min-su whispered. Ji- Sun nodded, a smile spreading across his face. “We’re a team, no matter what.”
As we caught our breath, we stumbled upon a hidden chamber with a shimmering portal. The moment we laid eyes on it, our hearts swelled with excitement and relief. We had found our way back home. With anticipation, we stepped through the portal, transported back to the familiar hallways of our school. The maze and its challenges were now behind us, but the impact it had on our lives remained.
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As we reflected on our journey, we realized that the trials we faced had transformed us to lifelong friends. Min-su’s intelligence and Ji-Sun’s athleticism and kindness enriched our friendship. We appreciated each other’s strengths, celebrated our unique qualities and supported one another. As the days passed, our friendship blossomed. We laughed, studied, and shared countless memories together. We became each other’s pillars of support.