By: Samira Hayes – April 30, 2025

It’s been two years since I lost my best friend, and I still don’t know if I made the right decision. At the time, it felt like I was protecting myself, but now, I wonder if I was just too afraid of confronting the truth.

We had been inseparable since middle school. We shared everything—our dreams, our fears, our weird quirks. I thought we’d grow old together, our bond unbreakable. But somewhere along the way, things started to change. She became more distant. I tried to ignore the signs at first, chalking it up to life getting busier, but deep down, I knew something was off.

One night, it all came crashing down. She told me she had developed feelings for me. At first, I laughed, thinking it was a joke, but her face remained serious. I could see the vulnerability in her eyes, the same person who had always been strong and confident, now completely exposed.

I didn’t know how to respond. I loved her, yes, but not in the way she wanted. I had always thought of her as my sister, someone I could never cross that line with. But more than that, I was terrified. Terrified that if I said no, it would be the end of our friendship. Terrified that I’d lose her forever.

In that moment, I chose to distance myself. I stopped talking to her, gave her space, and waited for the awkwardness to fade. But it didn’t. She eventually stopped reaching out, and I let the silence stretch until we completely drifted apart.

Now, I can’t help but wonder if I was too harsh, too quick to cut her off. Maybe I should have talked to her, told her I loved her as a friend but couldn’t be what she wanted. I’ve lost a piece of myself by letting her go, and I’ll always regret not trying harder to save that friendship.