Dear best friend,

The past number of months had been tough on both of us - but especially on you. You have been working so hard for these exams, and I can see how much it means to you to get the result that you want.

Please know that I have no doubt in my mind that you will not only pass, but get a wonderful grade and go on to achieve fantastic things. Trust me, you can do anything that you set your mind to. You are a hard worker.

I am writing this letter to you in attempts to help you realize what a truly amazing person you are and that you are capable of much more than you give yourself the credit for. Considering you have been feeling pretty down lately, I was hoping this letter could help lift your spirits at least a little bit.

When we first met I was afraid to speak to you; I felt like I it was my first day in secondary school all over again. I mean, it kind of was - the building was the same, but having to repeat a year meant being in a class with new people. The thought terrified me. So when Ms. Mulcahy asked me to take the only free seat in the class, which was beside you, I panicked.

I could see you were as horrified as I was, but I figured one of us would have to initiate a conversation, seeing as we were going to be French partners for the next two years. The first thing that caught my eye on your desk was the pencil case. You know, the one with the foxes? "Perfect," I thought and randomly blurted out, "I LOVE YOUR PENCIL CASE," like it was the most exciting thing on the planet.

After our first conversation I knew we'd be friends. I never thought we'd be best friends.

Honestly, the more we talked, the better my life was. I finally had someone to be myself around, someone who wouldn't judge me or turn their back on me. It meant a whole world, as up until that point I was alone.

Well.. alone is probably not the best word. I had SOME friends. Friends, who had better friends and never bothered to invite me unless they were lonely and didn't have another choice. And the GOOD friends that I had/have? Either live pretty far or had a very busy schedule, which of course is understandable. Trust me, finding a friend in you changed my year around.

Our mutual interest in books, TV shows and Hamlet is probably what brought us so close together in the first place. Remember when I wouldn't stop talking about The Mortal Instruments? Or, remember when we decided we would cosplay a gay Horatio x Hamlet couple for Halloween? It never happened, by the way. We still need to do that.

I am not sure when we became as close as we are right now, regardless, it was one of the best things that has ever happened to me. You and Christopher, you two mean the world to me. He is my love and you're the Horatio to my Hamlet.

You've taught me so many important things about life. I wouldn't be the strong person I am today if it wasn't for you. You taught me that:

1. Real friends respect boundaries.
2. Real friends do not lie to / about each other.
3. True love does not make you feel exhausted, sad and feeling like life will only get worse.
4. It's very important to be open about the things that hurt us, instead of keeping them inside, like pickles. (Damn pickles.)
5. Even if I don't see you everyday, or we don't message everyday, that does not change the fact that we are best friends.
6. It is okay if I take care of myself above others, and my illness affecting plans with people is NOT my fault.

You have also taught me that sometimes just commenting on someone's pencil case can bring one of the most important people into our lives. Do you think if the first thing I told you was that I stalked your social media prior to speaking to you, it all would have turned out the same? No? Me either, so be happy I took the pencil case route!!

You may not see it, but you are like a little sister to me. You are intelligent, smart, beautiful, kind, sweet, talented and super badass. Do not let anyone ever make you feel like you are not. You can and WILL take the world by storm. You will achieve whatever you set your mind to, no matter how long it will take you - because you are a warrior and warriors do not back down.

Here is one of my favourite pictures of us. We need to take more, now that our hair is longer and our make up skills are better.

I love you bub! Stay strong.

Hamlet.