I craved a mean girl’s approval until My Little Pony broke the spell

I didn’t realise my school infatuation was just making fun of me, but then an episode of the cartoon series taught me the attributes of true companionshipWhen I was seven,...

By Fatimah Merchant · The Guardian Culture

I didn’t realise my school infatuation was just making fun of me, but then an episode of the cartoon series taught me the attributes of true companionship When I was seven, I was obsessed with one particular classmate. She was the only girl taller than me and she never let me forget it. She was allowed to wear colourful nail polish and had shiny Lelli Kelly shoes, while I had short, plain nails and had to make do with classic black Clarks. I craved her approval. That spring she got an iPhone, and deliberately shunned me for a while afterwards. I cried for hours, but I wasn’t confused. I understood, and even respected it. Why would she grace me with her aura? I was lucky she let me sit at her table at all, even if it was only to taunt me for still bringing in a packed lunch. She was my best friend – I was always holding out hope that one day I would be hers. Continue reading...