A difference in my life- The Banner

I was 16 and as I stuck my hand out to meet him, he put his Pepsi can down and took my hand. We exchanged awkward hellos and started a small conversation. As we talked he kept taking glances at his soda can; because I didn’t want to make him feel uncomfortable I told him I was fine with him continuing his drinking. To my surprise, he replied with, “ I don’t drink soda in front of girls because they’re going to think I’m un-healthy”. Ever since then, I knew that we would be amazing friends. My feelings for him are so much more than I have ever felt for another male friend before. I don’t exactly think that the words I use are going to give his character justice. His witty, over-the-top, loud personality mixed with compassion for literature and art make for one great person. Our bond was instant- our mundane trips to anywhere and everywhere, going out to eat , grabbing a quick coffee, and our amazing late-night conversations that I have yet to experience with anyone else. Those were the things I was grateful for, because I knew that we could mix all these personalities and put them into one, and BAM! You have this amazing person. But, as seasons change, so do people, and as many friends do, we started growing apart. I don’t think that this is something either or us wanted but we had different things going for us. And our friendship became questionable. College was starting for him and it was his time to move and meet new faces, new friends and experience a home away from home. And then, after several months of trying to keep our friendship solid, we just couldn’t and it was hard. And although we had our differences, he was still the person that I considered my best friend- the same best friend who I knew still cared for me the way I cared for him. After time, our friendship picked back up again, it was something unavoidable because of all the mutual friends we had in common. So, here we are now two people that have known each other for a little over five years- someone that I knew better than any other friend I’ve had before. I’ve never really put much thought as to why I care about him so much, or how hes really made a difference in my life, but I think its because our friendship has never been consistent. I’ve never been a fan of change, I’m so scared of it, but with him, our friendship was constantly inconsistent , so it made me realize that inconsistency only makes me stronger. And, even though now we are no where near as close as we used to be , I think that its ok because that’s the way its suppose to be- I have to accept him the way he is now because that’s what friendship is about. Id like to think that no matter where we are 10 or 20 years from now, that if we needed each other, we would be there.