A Friend Indeed

Ellie looked up at him with sad eyes."You make it sound so easy," she smiled shyly, turning away."It is," Chris replied confidently. "You just have to tell him what you told me. That heis a rotten, self-centred, vain, giant walking ego.""But, it's just not that simple," she sighed. "I...""You what?" he challenged.She frowned. "It used to be so different. He used to be so good.

used to be sogood. Everyone said we were the perfect couple.""Things change. You're not married to him you know," he smiled encouragingly."Look, I've gotta go to my lesson. But catch you later, yeah?"She nodded and gave a weak smile as he left.She felt rotten dragging Chris into this. He had become her best friend, but didn'treally know it. Men never really understand things like proper friendships. A

boy

friendshipwas all about dangerous dares, sharing jokes and talking cars.

Girl

friendships were moresupportive than fun. You had friends so you could talk about stuff and not worry so much.But things change.She'd come to terms with the fact that when you're younger you have girlfriends toplay with and share secrets with, but as you get older and boys come on to the scene thischanges. When you get a boyfriend he becomes your bestfriend and you do everythingtogether: homework, walking to school, going to the cinema. And your friends accept thisbecause that's what happens. Then in a couple of days - or weeks if it was a really strongrelationship - you would break up and go running back to your friends. Who wouldwelcome you back even though you had deserted them.But as you get older it becomes much more complicated. Relationships last longer and get more in-depth. The friends aren't always there to return to, and then what?"Best friends don't really exist anymore," she sighed to no one in particular. "Onlyboyfriends."Who'd have thought her mum had got it right when she'd say

'It's more important that the man in your life is your best friend, than some flash hottie'