My Best Friend

He's one of those people who is never there specifically for you
but he's always there
in the background
hovering nearby
so still he could be mistaken by anyone else as scenery
He's always watching as I pull myself back onto my feet
and we continue our walk
and he mutters "idiot."
under his breath
just loud enough that I can hear him and hit him for it
And then he whines cause 'I'm a girl and he can't hit me back'
I just grin
and laugh at him
he talks to another girl
and I cry cause I'm jealous
and he panics cause I'm crying
I settle for a hug and an awkward pat on the head
and life goes on
through smiles and laughs
and pain and tears
against all odds
through hopes and fears
he's a shoulder to cry on
something that is always the same
he evolves and he grows older
but he some how never changes
I try to hug him
and everyone laughs
because his hand is on my fore head
and my arms are flailing comically in an attempt to reach him
We are similar
but aren't the same person
I can't read his emotions
I can't predict what he'll say
but I know he won't abandon me
that's a sort of unspoken promise
something we have in common
He's strong, and he will stand when I can not
I'm weak, but I will defend him if I must, with everything inside of me
He tells me I smell like strawberries
and I stammer out rude comments and excuses because I don't take well to compliments
he doesn't point out my rudeness
maybe he gets it, maybe he doesn't, who knows?
either way he forgets about it.
he doesn't bring it up.
We graduate together
and I cry cause I don't want it to end
he just ruffles my hair with a laugh and a hug
and it takes a few days for me to learn
that we can be a million miles apart
and still be right next to each other.

© 2010 Sarah Hale