Strangers

You used to spend as much time as you could together. You used to stay up all night talking about your hopes, dreams, thoughts, plans, fears. It didn't really matter. All that mattered was that you felt like there was someone who understood you the way nobody else did.

Someone who knew every side of you and still wanted to be your friend. But now you've grown apart and the worst thing about it is that you didn't even see it coming. You talk less, but you tell yourself it's no big deal. You're both busy, but you're still close. Days turn to months and you decide it's time to reach out. You miss your best friend and they must miss you too. You send them a message and the two of you spend a little time catching up with each other. Talking about what you've been up to, how you're feeling. They tell you about someone in their life that they've never mentioned to you before. That's when you really start to notice the disconnection. How can this person be so important to them and they've never told you about them? You shrug it off because you figure they meant to and just got caught up in everyday life.

You say your goodbyes and the conversation ends. A few days later, you haven't heard from them even though they promised to text you. You're probably just being impatient. They always keep their promises. So you wait. When another week goes by, you text them to see if they're okay since they didn't contact you.

They tell you they're fine. They're sorry, they just forgot.

That stings a little because they never forgot you before and no matter how busy you get, you always remember your promises.

Too busy, even to say 'Hi, how are you?' You find that hard to believe but you don't tell them that because you don't want to upset them. They're still your friend.

You try to shake it off but now there's a lingering doubt in your mind. It's clear you aren't as important to them as you used to be but you are growing up. Friends sometimes don't talk for a long time but that doesn't mean you don't care about them anymore.

You stop texting them because you know they're busy and you want to give them space. You're busy too and things will fall into place again once you're both more settled.

Then one day you see them on the street and you try to say 'hi' as you pass. Your mind is already anticipating a smile and maybe a hug.

You can already hear them say how much they've missed you and asking how you are. But none of that happens. Instead they glance at you and you see the recognition in their eyes which only makes it more painful when they keep going. They walk past you like you don't even exist and you feel your heart break a little at finally realizing the truth.

You're not her best friend anymore and she can't be yours. Now, you're just strangers who share a past.