Social Division

Children seem to get along quite well when they are young and wild. However, once they reach a certain age, you are able to see what type of person they actually are. This is the reason why kids tend to narrow down who their friends are once they reach college. This story will dive into James and Patrick's friendship.

James was the son of CEO Harrison, who owned a franchise business that worked with oil. They were well recognized in their area and had customized cars that were worth millions of dollars. Patrick was nowhere near the social status of James. His parents worked at a dry cleaner which did not pay much. But as children, James and Patrick saw no difference between each other. The two kids would go out and play together and eat at each other's house. They even went to church every weekend with each other. The school they went to offered numerous opportunities for scholarships and awards, which opened a path to attend a private college.

It was at that moment when things were about to drastically change. James was offered the opportunity to take his education to a superior private college, where rich upper-class students could attend. Without James knowing, his parents decided to enroll him into that school without any notice. Patrick, who was devastated by the news, could only wish that he could have gone to that college. He was not offered any sort of scholarship great enough to support his financial needs of attending a top-tier college. At that very moment, he realized his family's financial situation.

A few months had passed and James, who had gone to the well-known private college was hundreds of miles away from his old home, called Bellaire. He seemed to have adjusted quite easily, due to the fact that the students there were within his social level. Being around all these snobby rich kids, James adapted to their social setting and made a complete 180 with his personality.

While James had gotten into Bellaire with ease, Patrick was still awaiting his acceptance letters from numerous colleges. Patrick was an outstanding student with more than perfect grades. He scored a perfect ACT score and a 2360 on his SAT. From the high school Patrick attended, he was number one and a valedictorian. When the time finally came around, he had received an acceptance letter to Bellaire.

New chapters were stirring for the both of them and the time came around when classes were to begin. During freshman orientation, the two met eyes and Patrick's face lit up. He hurried on over to James and greeted him with an enormous hug. James shoved him off and stared blankly into his eyes. With a look of disgust, he wiped his body and told Patrick to get his poor, raggedy self off of him. He explained to Patrick the social difference between them and that he would need to work his way up to even look him in his eyes.

Once Patrick heard what James had said, he shook his head and walked away quietly.

Bibliography: Drona, Son of Bharadwaja by, Donald A. Mackenzie

Author's Note: I got this story idea from Drona, Son of Bharadwaja. I found this story to be quite simple yet common. Drona was best friends with Drupada and they hung out with each other everywhere. The time came when Drupada's father retired from his throne and so he took his father's place. Royalty was in his blood and Drona on the other hand was just some kid born to be a priest. He married his wife, Kripi, once his father had passed away. Jamadagni, who was a sage, retired and gave his wealth and weapons to Drona. As excited as he was, Drona immediately thought to share this wealth, so then he hurried on over to share the sage's inheritance with Drupada. When Drona had finally reached the kingdom Drupada was at, Drupada was angry. That fact that Drona even considered coming triggered him and left him him to say nothing but harsh words. He had told Drona that the rich and poor, wise and ignorant could not be friends. At that very moment, Drona was furious and stormed out of the kingdom. For the ending, I wanted to create a less dramatic scene and keep it more calm. Instead of Drona storming out furiously, I had Patrick, who is Drona for this story, quietly walk away without sound.