Chapter Nine

What are friends? How do you recognize real friends?

Matt used to spend his time with his group of friends: Neil, Skeet and Russ.
But after reading this chapter, I’m not sure anymore, whether you can call them friends?!
In my opinion, real friends are characterised by holding together in every kind of situation, also in unpromising or hopeless ones! Usually, these show you, how much your friendship is worth.
His whole gang hid itself behind an excuse, not to help its defenceless member Matt. One was afraid of being seen as a conspirator, the other’s lawyer “advises” him, not to get involved either. What kind of friends are these? You need to be able to rely on them and know that they will help you in every situation! Especially as a friend, you are responsible for their welfare.
This is exactly what Ugly Girl did: Although she doesn’t even know him very well, she goes and explains the misunderstanding to Mr. Parrish, just for the sake of justice! She doesn’t “give a damn” about whether she involves herself in the “bomb threat”, and as it turns out, it pays off!
If you put yourself into Matt’s position, you are dependent on the support of various, irrespective witnesses, backing up your own evidence. How else should you be able to persuade anybody?
And Matt himself notices this: “She believed in Matt, for sure. She must like him, too. Even if nobody else did”. Afterwards he even calls Ursula Riggs a friend in his letter to thank her for her effort.
I hope that he stays strong, not letting his “friends” get off lightly, and maybe finds a new ally in Ugly Girl, who may have rediscovered the personable and joyful Ursula Riggs.