Throughout our lifetime we run across thousands of faces, some familiar and others unknown. While in school, it’s normal to talk to people that may take the same class as you, dress similar in style to yours, or even speak the same language as you. Those few aspects are how we choose who is fortunate enough to become a friend, maybe even a best friend.
In high school, I had many friends but few that I could call my absolute best friend. Now being a best friend comes with a few responsibilities. Let’s say that I was running into an awkward conversation with a guy and I needed to escape immediately. A best friend of mine has to know that if I’m to text them SOS, that means they need to call me as soon as possible and come up with some reason for me to flee the scene. It doesn’t even have to be anything fancy, a simple “my weave is on fire” would suffice. A best friend of mine should also be able to tell if I’m okay just by the way I speak or even the expression on my face. If you can see past my resting *insert vulgar word here* face, then, in my book you are a keeper. Last but not least, you HAVE to make me laugh, no exceptions! I’m really goofy and a jokester so it’s natural for me to laugh out loud at the slightest of things. The friends that can make you laugh to the point where your gut is wrenching, eyes are full of tears, and your throat is as soar as that day you caught a cold…those are the ones you should keep around for the long run.
I had one of those throughout all four years in high school. He was basically my ride-or-die, even though I wasn’t willing to take a bullet for that fool. We meet our freshman year through a mutual friend. Over the years we got to know each other more and eventually became comfortable around each other. Mind you he was straight and I was gay but that didn’t matter to him at all which was another cool aspect about him. Some straight dudes really have a problem being friends with someone that’s gay, but I don’t understand it. Not every gay male is out to get a hold of a straight dude, so please get over yourself. For a lot of you, you look dusty and your hair is uneven…just saying. Anywho, after years had passed I began to become attached to him. He was my rock. At that point I knew that I had done the most dangerous thing of all; I fell in love with my best friend.
Now in many heterosexual relationships, a guy and a girl best friend may end up falling in love with each other and begin dating. In my case, since my best friend was straight, I was unlucky enough to not have that option. So what was a little ole gay boy like me suppose to do in this situation? The smart decision was to probably fall back and put some space in between him and I, but my foolish bum wanted to follow my heart, which did nothing but lead me straight to hell. A year after graduation and a half bottle of Taaka Vodka later, I found myself balling my eyes out in one of my all time bestie’s dorm room. The lesson to be taken from this one…if you fall in love with one of your best friends, please speak up and talk to them about it and see where y’all stand with each other. It’s better to get everything out into the light instead of smothering it in the dark with a bottle of alcohol. Much love!