(From the POV of a best friend?)

I remember being in that English class with you. Honestly, I had every class with you. In most classes I’d hang out with a boy who everyone thought was my boyfriend or whatever. I decided to pretend he was my cousin. You were the only person who learned the truth.

Remember where it all started? I mean, when we first met? In English, the teacher assigned groups and you were in mine along with a few knuckleheads. Anyway, you seemed very cool and outgoing. I made jokes and you laughed. We had very many things in common. I thought you were awesome.

Since every class we had was with one another, we grew closer. We sat together in every class and never paid attention to any of the lessons. We just laughed. It didn’t matter to either of us, though. We were smart.

I remember giving you my phone number, so we could chat every day. It was fun doing that. At that point, I knew we’d become best friends; you agreed on that. You even made matching friendship bracelets for us, and we both wore them all the time.

You told me to join a club, and that’s where it all started going downhill. I joined the club because I got interested, and we decided to stay in a pair. I got more friends as time went by, but you seemed almost unhappy with it. Every time I’d hang out with one of your friends, you’d always get quiet and stand around by yourself, not laughing at a single joke any of us made. I swear, sometimes you looked like you wanted to cry. I’d ask what’s wrong and you’d tell me you’re tired.

One time, you’d asked if we could talk about our friendship. I said “yes.” I knew something was wrong with us. You told me we had drifted apart, and that it almost felt like you didn’t know me at all. I felt like the only thing that happened was that I had changed. I liked different things. Change should be accepted, right?

After some time, you told me that you took what I had said personal sometimes, and you asked me to stop. I was only joking. You knew that, and you’d laugh. I don’t know why you suddenly felt that way. Aside from that, I became a bit closer to one of your friends. I could tell you seemed a bit uncomfortable with it, but I should be allowed to be friends with whoever I want.

I got a boyfriend, and you helped me with it. My other friend did more work getting us together, though, but that’s fine. You still tried. I knew you liked him before, but I liked him more. And besides, you liked a new guy every month.

Now, we don’t talk much. I miss you, and I love you. You say the same, but I can’t tell if it’s true. Every time you say it, you almost seem upset. Anyway, I hope you’re doing okay. I know I am. I wish we could be best friends like how we were before. To be honest, I just want you to understand that change is normal and necessary. I know it’s hard to accept, but it happens. We’ve drifted farther than icebergs, but just know that I see you as someone special even though I don’t wear my bracelet anymore. I love you.