When She Came

I met a friend who made school feel better. Someone who could make me laugh even on the days I wanted to vanish. She never gave up on me, not even when I didn’t hug her back. When she came, she made me believe not everyone leaves that some people will wait, and the rare ones… stay. She just waited, kept being kind, kept showing me I was safe with her. And when I finally hugged her — properly it felt like something clicked inside me. Like, oh… this is what it feels like to trust someone. I'm glad she didn't give up, because her hugs are irreplaceable. She’s the kind of friend who makes normal moments special. Standing in line. Sitting in English. Talking about nothing. Somehow, with her, it all meant something. And now she’s moving schools and I don’t know how to handle it. I don’t know how to walk into school and not see her smile. Or not feel her arms around me when I need them. Or not hear her laugh, when I need cheering up. I’m happy for her, but it hurts. It hurts in that way that makes your stomach heavy and your chest tight. I hope she knows how much she matters to me. I hope she knows I’ll still be here, just a text or call away. I hope she knows she changed something in me just by being herself.