**7 years old**

“Promise?” “Promise” We agree as we shake hands. Ella nods her head and we agreed to keep the promise. _Until now._

__

**Overview**

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When we were 7, we promised we would _always _stick together, no matter what. We were so close and she deeply cared about me. She ended up ditching me when I walked into her bedroom and she looked down playing with her sleeve and said “I’m sorry April but I had to” she said with her head down and I felt that. I exited the room with a pang of sadness hitting me hard and I heard her sniffing in her room. It’s so sad to see how separated we became and it hurt me a lot too. However I think she has moved on. She doesn’t care about me anymore and I wished we stayed as kids. Unfortunately, that’s not the case.

**19 years old (present)**

The problem was a _boy._ A _teenage boy_ who she adores and hugs every damn day. “He is pretty funny tbh and I really like him! I think if you really understood him like I do then you’ll be closer to him. He stole _my_ best friend and expects me to be happy for him! What world are they living in. Not planet earth _clearly _- Mars by the sound of it. He is _sooo _loud and all he talks about is himself. “Oh look at me! I’m so cool!”_ewww._ It’s really not ‘cute’ or ‘sweet’ as she describes. I just want to ask her “Ella, why are you dating _him?_” but she’ll _HATE_ me so I zipped my mouth shut.

She should’ve noticed how I just go _‘mhm’_ for everything because what can I say? Ella gets lost in her own world talking about _Josh_. I don’t find Josh interesting, exciting or perfect. I think he is smarmy and weird. They aren’t similar - maybe in their hobbies but not their attitudes. Ella is so naivë so if you slag him off, she will go _ballistic. _Rule number 1: _NEVER _disagree or mess with my ex best friend.

I really want to tell her how bad of a boyfriend I’m sure he is but I don’t want to step on their toes. I need to be happy for her and not be jealous. But I am jealous in a weird way. Maybe this is just how I am. It’s just when you lose a friend, it _hurts_. Especially if you made a promise. The promise between us.