just minishorts.

I've broken up with friends in friendships before. They were all guys.

I remember the first major break up. I was 16.

We were both leaders in a high-profiled school organization. We worked very well with each other, sharing the same ideals and same thoughts regarding policy-making and decision implementations. And then, something crept up in the middle of our term. About a triangular adolescent, unrequited love problem, that involved my partner and two girls in the same organization. Somewhere along the way, I was forced to choose between friendship, and responsibility. Seeing the severity of the situation I chose responsibility.

We didn't speak to each other for over two years following the problem. He resigned from his post and I had to bear the workload of a two-person-job. We would see each other in school daily, and always there was this sickening thud inside of me everytime I saw his face. I didn't know whether it was appropriate to smile, so in the end I didn't even nod at him. This went on for a long time, until in Form Six, after he went overseas for an international Mathematics competition. He came back, bearing gifts for the whole class… and I thought I would be ignored.

Turns out he gave me something, and called me at night to tell me, 'I think we're grown up enough to put this behind us.'

So we became friends again, sharing thoughts… but we never spoke again of that strange tiff between the two of us because of his involvement with a member of the same organization. Our friendship was special, completely platonic, and I was given updates on his improvements in life as we grew up. That friend's a high-flyer now, going places, rightly so because of his amazing intellect and intelligence. Here I am, still extremely proud to be his friend, even after so many years.

More so because my friendship with him has proven that people can actually let bygones be bygones, such a phrase actually really exists. As long as both are standing on mutual grounds and ready to forget mistakes and absurdities.

Sometimes is never quite enough
If you're flawless, then you'll win my love
Don't forget to win first place
Don't forget to keep that smile on your face

Be a good boy
Try a little harder
You've got to measure up
And make me prouder

How long before you screw it up
How many times do I have to tell you to hurry up
With everything I do for you
The least you can do is keep quiet

Be a good girl
You've gotta try a little harder
That simply wasn't good enough
To make us proud

I'll live through you
I'll make you what I never was
If you're the best, then maybe so am I
Compared to him compared to her
I'm doing this for your own damn good
You'll make up for what I blew
What's the problem… why are you crying

Be a good boy
Push a little farther now
That wasn't fast enough
To make us happy
We'll love you just the way you are if you're perfect

Alanis Morisette

Old song. Very good words. Perfect to describe what I want to say.