Dear Alcohol,

She was my friend first. I've been with her through her laughter and tears. I've been with her when she had no one else to turn to at 3 a.m. I've been with her through heartache, confusion, even finals week meltdowns. So leave her alone, because I will always be her best friend.

Though I say "I will always be her best friend" with a fierceness and severity, I'm scared to admit that I'm losing my spot to you. The more time that goes by, I realize she's picking you over me. Granted, you're more fun at parties, and you help her forget the terrible day she's had, but you're a fairweather friend. You buzz around for a couple of hours, and then leave her in more of crap show.

When she's with me, I make her face her fears, her insecurities, her worries. I help her address her pain, not cover it up. When she's with me she's proud of decisions she makes and even more so likes to remember them. So this is my warning to you, Alcohol -- this friendship ain't big enough for the two of us, and you need to bounce.

I remember meeting you for the first time like it was yesterday. See, Alcohol, you and I don't really run in the same circles -- in fact, for me, life without you would be unchanged. You're not my friend, and any interaction I've had with you is through mutual friends. But the thing is, you're good to all those other people, you let them chill with you whenever they want, even calm them down a bit when they're a little uptight, so I figured when my best friend expressed interest in you, you'd be the same way to her, but you're the opposite. You're absolutely destructive for her. I hate that you've claimed her as your own, and from the outside looking in I hate even more that when she's with you, you're all that seems to matter.

After a night with you the next day isall about making amends, of course you leave her at her worst, and she swears she'll never hangout with you again -- but Friday night comes (or Tuesday night) and she's by your side yet again. And I'm left to pick up the pieces after you wreck her life, once again.

Alcohol, you're the worst. Not only do you leave my best friend in a tizzy she doesn’t have time for, but you're even left me feeling like an incompetent friend.

You're so bad for her, but she chooses you. You make her cry, but she still chooses you. You've made her miss class, fight with her parents, be embarrassed publicly--- but she still chooses you. Whereas I sit and worry for her, pray for her, check her Instagram and snapchat stories on the daily to make sure she's ok. Yet at the end of the day I'm not her first pick. So what I need to know now is -- what's your trick?

I've always heard that girls like to go for jerks when it comes to romantic interests, but I never figured it'd be the same for when they were finding a best friend. I've tried everything in my power to show her your bad side, to show her that I'll never leave her crying, or with headache the next morning. but she doesn't seem to care.

"College is supposed to be fun, Iman." she says. And all I can think is Am I not fun? Am I not fun enough?" So, I'm down to my final hand, the only thing that I can give her that you can't is my loyalty.

What follows is more of a final plea to my best friend (or anyone's best friend) who needs to put their relationship with alcohol on a hold.

Best Friend,

I've known you since we were in diapers and even though our talks 99 percent of the time leave me laughing for days, I've recently really been worried about you. We always used to joke around that one day we'd make it big. I'd be the hot-shot doctor, you'd be the kick butt lawyer. We'd be the dream team. But as time goes on and life get's more stressful, I'm concerned that you're shying away from your dreams and taking the easy way out. I know how brilliant you are -- so show the world. Put your best foot forward, even if that means not taking a drink beforehand.

You know how I feel about Alcohol, and though I don't care if other people dabble responsibly. I hate to be a stickler, but you've been very irresponsible lately.

Now, I don't want to kill the mood, so I guess I'll start by saying this. I am here for you. Let that soak in. I am here now, tomorrow, years and years from now. I will always be on your side.

I know the struggle you go through, and I am amazed at how you deal with everything, but be the strong woman I know you are. Leave Alcohol out of it. I want to be the person you confide in when you're not feeling your best. I'll dance like a nut case with you, I'll give you the courage to talk to the boy you've been gushing over, I'll help you relax -- you don't need anything else to fill the void of a true best friend.

You know I've always had a bit of jealousy problem, so having to compete with Alcohol for your friendship has been really hard. Especially when I see what it does to you. You are a queen, so don't fall for the pumpkin carriage fantasy that Alcohol gives you. Be the queen I know you are.

I'll leave you with this -- Alcohol terrifies me. Why? Because it makes people I love, respect, and care so deeply about turn into someone I can't recognize.

When we decided to be best friends we knew that we'd accept each other for what we were, but we'd always be honest. Please don't think that this is me trying to change you to fit my mold. No, this is me being honest. This is me no longer sugar coating that everything will just be okay. No, you have to get your priorities straight. Take a long, hard look at your life and figure out what matters to you most.

But realize that you don't have to make any decision on your own. You have team of people on your side and most importantly you have me. So come on, let's get back on track, Homie. We have a world to change, shoes to buy and hot doctor husbands to find. And maybe, if we manage to get all that done, I'll take you out for a drink -- I mean Starbucks.

XOXO,

Sometimes the DD, always the BFF