The Heartache of a Friendship

Chapter 1

"When I announce your name, come up to collect your award. Daniel Green.Ika May White."

After I collected my diploma, I took my seat next to Daniel. Daniel and I met when we were six in an orphanage. He's never told me why he ended up there but, if it's that upsetting for him, then I understand. I'm not going to force him to tell me. He's my best friend and I don't want to risk our friendship. I've told him before that I ended up in the orphanage because my father went to prison and my mother couldn't look after me and my siblings anymore. I haven't seen my brothers and sisters since and I can never forgive her for that. She tore us apart because she messed up.

Despite the rough start in life, I'm actually happy with who I am and where I am at. I have a job that I love, a decent house and a great friend. I may be happy with what I have but there is still something missing. My siblings. I've been looking for them for a long time but have had no luck but I'm staying hopeful. I'll do whatever it takes to find them.

After the ceremony, Daniel and I went back to my house and bought so much junk food that anyone else would think we're feeding twenty people not two. We sat on my couch and watched all our favorite movies. We gossiped about drama from university and discussed our future plans. We've always agreed that we're going to stay together no matter what, no matter where life takes us. I wouldn't be anyone without him. He's made me who I am. Without him, I'd be no one, worthless, probably dead. He makes me cry from laughter when I don't even want to smile and I will never be able to thank him enough for that.

I fell asleep about half way through the final film. Daniel must've pulled a blanket over me because I woke up still curled in a ball on the coach but under my favorite soft, fluffy blanket. This blanket means so much to me because Daniel bought it for my twentieth birthday. Anything Daniel gets for me means the world to me. I keep every last thing but I don't think he knows it. I care about him much more than he knows.

I woke up to Daniel making pancakes, my favorite. I had blueberries and syrup on mine but Daniel just had syrup because he's predictable. We sat across from each other at the dining table and we started laughing at something neither of us remembers. I laughed so hard I spat blueberries everywhere, which made us laugh even harder until we were gasping for breath. I whistled like a teapot, making us laugh even more and we fell off our chairs; rolled on the floor, laughing. I love being able to make him laugh until he can't breathe; it makes me feel powerful.

After breakfast, I had to leave for a long, tiring day of work. I may love my job but it's still tiring. Daniel said he was going to stay at my house and knowing I would go home to him made the day slightly more bearable. I was so excited about spending another night with Daniel, although, I wish I knew why he's spending so much time at mine these past few days. We may be best friends but he's never really opened up much. It makes sense for someone who was so obviously hurt before. I wish I could restore his trust in people but, hopefully, in time, he'll learn to trust me more. I don't let the fact that he hides his truth from me, hurts me show but it does. I'm sorry I'm not enough.

When I got home from work, Daniel had cooked tea and was waiting for me. He was quiet, avoiding eye contact and when I made a weird noise he didn't laugh so I knew something was wrong.

"Daniel, what's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"Don't lie to me," my heart ached at the sight of his discomfort.

"I got offered a place at a music school in New York City," my cheeks and eyes lit up with excitement.

"Oh my god Daniel, that's been your dream for so long. Wait," as realization sunk in, my heart capsized to my stomach, "does that mean you're leaving?"

"Well, I'm not going to give up an opportunity like this."

"I know, I wouldn't ask you to. It's just a shock and I never thought you would ever leave. I'm really going to miss you," my eyes stung from holding back my tears.

"I know but we can talk every day and we can visit each other. We'll make this work," he walked over to me and we embraced each other for the longest time. I felt safe in his grip and let the tears flow. I'm really going to miss him.

"When you gotta leave?"

"Next week."

"I'm going to make this week one we'll never forget," I could feel him grin against the top of my head. I never thought I would lose him, especially not this quickly.