A Boy-friend Named Jonny

Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.

“Jonny and Krista sitting in a tree, K.I.S.S.I.N.G.” Lucas sing-songed to Jonny as he walked past the lunch table.

“Ignore him, Jonny,” Krista said as she took a bite of her pizza.

Jonny slumped over his tray. “It’s hard to ignore him—he’s been singing that annoying song all week. And now other kids are starting to sing it too.”

“Do you want to stop sitting together at lunch? Maybe we can be secret friends but ignore each other at school.”

For a minute, Krista thought maybe he’d agree. But then Jonny shook his head. “No way, Krista. Boys and girls can be friends without everyone shipping them. If he keeps doing that, I’ll tell Ms. Jones.”

Krista sighed in relief. Jonny was a smart and kind friend to her, someone with a different perspective on life simply because he is a boy. And she thought her perspective was helpful to him when he asked her for advice in return. “Good plan. Now tell me more about this Star Wars movie marathon you are planning for next weekend. I want to come.”

Jonny is a friend who is a boy—not a boyfriend. So often, the message we hear in movies, books, and on social media is that it isn’t possible to simply be friends with boys. And if we are, our classmates might tease us mercilessly by singing the “kissing in the tree” song or asking repeatedly if we are dating. Many people think that boys and girls cannot be friends unless romance is involved, but having that viewpoint might keep you from finding some great friends.

The right friends make our life better and help us succeed. And when we are friends with someone who is different than us in some way (like a boy), we can learn from that friend’s ideas and experiences and make better decisions. So don’t let others’ teasing stop you from being a good friend to someone—just because that friend is a boy.

Things to Think About

• When have you teased others who have a friend who is a boy, or allowed classmates to do the same? How do you think that made them feel?
• How have your friendships with boy classmates, neighbors, or church kids made your life happier?

DAILY ACT OF FRIENDSHIP

The next time you see someone being teased, step in and direct the attention to something else.