“Her”

She was my best friend growing up, I think kindergarten through sixth grade. It was convenient to have a friend your age right across the street.

There was no betrayals or bitter falling outs. We just had different classes in middle and stopped talking.

I was mad at Her at first, for leaving me alone. Then I made friends. They were mean and I spent the whole misery sixth grade with them. I was mad at them and Her.

Then I made new, and actually good friends in seventh grade. As my anger at Her faded, I kind of forget about Her too, not even realizing She moved farther into the neighborhood in eighth grade.

Sophomore year of high school, She was in a class with me. We smiled and made small talk. More like acquaintances than friends. I saw her and spoke to Her, but She wasn't really there.

She is friends with one of my friends. My friend told me that She showed them a picture of me when I was younger. It might have been fourth grade, when She had a disposable camera.

I still see Her in the hallways, sometimes we smile and wave. She's not in my life anymore, but I haven't forgot her.

Even when I go off to college in a few months, and she won't physically be in my life anymore, I hope she'll still be there in my mind.