Disappearances

It is amazing how quickly things that were once at the forefront of your life can be swept away.

I once knew a very special girl. She was talented, beautiful, and compassionate... she was my best friend.

We first met in preschool, then reunited when I relocated to another school, Maxatawny, a few years later after my parents' divorce. She was one of my first friends at Max, and we were inseparable. As close as we were, we were rivals as well. Everything we did together was a competition. Together, we choreographed a dance routine for our talent show at school. We fought nearly the whole time, but still came up with the best routine of all the groups.

My mom fell in love again when I was finishing up 6th grade... I was secretly happy for her.

As 6th grade was coming to a close, I passed around a little notebook for all of my friends to sign. I wanted to remember everyone before I moved away to Hershey, Pennsylvania.

For awhile, I kept in touch with a few people... Jen, Sam, Ashley, Gina... but as the years went by, there was only one person left.... Jen.

Jen and I grew very close after I moved away. I talked to her all the time, we visited each other regularly, and we had a bond that was unbreakable. It's amazing how many life experiences we had in common. Most of the time when something dramatic was going on in one of our lives, the other would already know about it because it was happening to her as well.

As high school was ending, our friendship was dwindling.

We talked less, we saw each other less... days became weeks... weeks became months... months became years.

I haven't seen my best friend in years... not since she came to visit me during "the dark ages".

Here we are, 21 years old... ready to move forth with our lives... separate from each other.

What ever happened to my best friend? What is the reason for this dramatic change? Why do we only talk every few months?

I hate it. I love her. I miss her.