COUNTDOWN

6 •'BEST FRIENDS IN THE WORLD'

THAT'S WHO I WANT US TO BE

Looking back, I didn't have the worst of childhoods despite my parents divorce at the age of five.

It was just me and my mom who everyone wouldn't stop addressing as miss Everyoung.

All the pictures framed on the wall told stories. Happy ones in fact.

So how we got here, I still can't discern.

The ten year old pink sofa I'm sitting on has its memory as well.

It was my birthday and we were yet to decide what gift I wanted.

"Beatrice, what are we getting you tomorrow?" My mum asked as we laid on the grass in our little garden.

We were star gazing, something we did everyone she wasn't on night duty.

And trust me, despite her being a very busy nurse, she always made time for me. Always made me feel loved.

She was my dad and my mum.

I wanted something pink, but I didn't know what.

"Hmm a pink cup?"

"We already have six of them." She replied.

"A pink school bag?" I made another attempt, but I knew I was getting a new one the next day anyway. To match my new hair band.

"Think, think." She said as she changed to a sitting position.

Then it struck me like lightning. All the household materials were monotone, except for our kitchen tools.

"Let's have a pink sofa then." I said with excitement and it was settled. We went shopping for one the next day and with time changed the house to a pink castle.

We were that close, so what happened?

Why are our Sunday dinners so awkward now?

Why don't we say good morning anymore?

Why was my birthday a night out with people I didn't even consider friends?

Why do we live like strangers in our little three bedroom apartment?

We were close, we loved each other, we were inseparable. So what really happened?

This time four years ago, my mom and I went on a pretend date.

Max, who I had a crush on since tenth grade finally asked me out and prom was in two weeks time.

I was excited, scared, nervous, anxious, but I had her. My mom was there for me, supported me all through till second year in college when Max broke up.

So ...

Was it since the break up with Max?

Was it because she didn't get to see Max's father who despite having a wife still hit on my mother?

Was it because I was in college and we didn't have much time together anymore?

What actually happened within these two years that estranged our relationship?