I did not expect to befriend every single one of you on that brisk February night. Like typical coming of age films, I met everyone in a basement. I was already friends with two of you, but the rest of you came in a big wave. Originally, I did not want to go to this gathering. I knew there was just going to be boys there, and sometimes that meant trouble. Plus, I felt uncomfortable and awkward meeting new people.
The night was quiet at first; but then it became naturally comfortable, like I had already met everyone one or two times before. We played pool and started joking around with one another. I haven't had that much of a good time with any other group of people before in my life. I was laughing. That was most important.
It was a school night. I had a 9:30am the next morning, but I did not want to leave. So much went down that night that I did not want it to end. I was having fun. I had a new, awesome group of friends. From that night, so much would go down in a matter of four months.
A thousand things happened, both good and bad. Every Thursday night, we went to Applebee's and crushed trivia night together. We planned trips to the mall and the ice skating arena. On the night before the gathering, I went to Philly with four of you, hunting down cheesesteaks and Insomnia Cookies (at midnight, mind you, but that was the norm). I was so happy to the point where I would want to hang out with you all the time.
We laughed the most together, all twelve of us. We cracked up over stupid things. But as the time went on, times started to get tougher. I trusted everyone; but as I am writing this now, I realize that I probably shouldn't have, at least not as quickly as I did.
It was drama. One of the reasons why I actually befriended you all was because it was college and it was to get away from that high school drama. It turned out that I actually didn't. Trust was smashed on the ground, shattered like glass; and attitudes were adjusted. Then college finished for the summer. All of a sudden, it was gone.
The friendship vanished. All of the good times were forgotten. Bad times seemed to occur more frequently. It was almost like we had never met. In the summer, I was working a lot, as everyone else was. Two of my best friends turned into strangers.
We had a beach trip in the beginning of June. Do you remember? It was after my birthday. Throughout the day, I was noticing that things were not the same. Everyone looked at each other differently. We were all quiet. It was a fun day, but I didn't know it would be the last fun thing we ever did together as a group.
Drifting apart from people, I think, is the worst. It's a bit painful losing someone like a brother to me, someone who was ALWAYS there for me. It sucks when you trusted someone with your secrets, and then they blurt them out to others. You all were up by school, and I was down here by the beach. An hour drive. A quick hour. But there was no effort.
Then it was legitimately nothing. I probably still talk to one or two of you today, but only on good days. It was depressing to think that I thought I had a great group of friends, and then they were gone.
This isn't to make you sad or angry. This is for you to know my feelings, and how much our friendship impacted my life. Friendship is so great, but it's a shame when it just dies out of nowhere. And then you have no one.
However, I realized that as the time went on and it's almost been a year since we all met, we all have lives to live. We have to go to school or we have to work to be where we want to be. Sometimes things aren't meant to be everlasting, and that's okay! Yes, at the time it was sad; but now, I'm happy knowing everyone is okay, doing well, and being successful.
I'll always remember you. You all were a part of the best friend group I've ever had. That should mean something, knowing that. I know you are good people, and you should feel proud that you are.
So I'd like to say thank you. Thank you for giving me days to enjoy and have fun. Thank you for being so kind to me, and to everyone else. Thank you for the countless rides to places, since I wasn't allowed to have a car on campus as a freshman. Thank you for literally everything! Who knows? Maybe we'll reconnect later in the future.
Every single one of you meant a lot to me, and I hope you know that I still care.
"It's the friends we meet along the way that help us appreciate the journey."
