The silence seemed to stretch on for days, punctured only by the crinkling of wrapping paper, the light thud of the scissors as it was placed on the floor, and other assorted sounds. I had no urge to speak first but in my heart, I begged Noah to be the one to do so. Finally, he did.

“I didn’t say it because I couldn’t.”

I still didn’t utter a word.

“I know that shouldn’t be the case because you’re very important to me.”

Finally, I reacted in the way of a heavy sigh. “It doesn’t feel like that sometimes,” I said, surprised by my sudden calmness. “I watch you give compliments to others, tell them nice things… I never get that.”

“You get my company more than anyone else.”

“That’s certainly true. You’re the only person I can honestly stand, anyway.” Unable to help it, the edges of my mouth lifted. Then they dropped. “Sometimes I feel unappreciated. So when you started gushing about… your new friend, all the bad thoughts came rushing out. But you’re not to blame. I should have been honest earlier about what bothered me. My outburst the other day was a culmination of keeping things to myself.”

“Oh.”

“It’s okay. You don’t have to apologise. And I certainly don’t mind you hanging out with your friend.”

“But I should apologise! I’m sorry for making you feel unappreciated. I meant what I said, you are my best friend. I’ll try to do better going forward. So, are we okay now?”

“Thanks for the reassurance. And yeah, I guess we are. I hate not having you around.”

“Well, now I’m not going anywhere. You should absolutely show me the present you got me.” Noah gave me a playfully evil look.

“HA! As if! You’ll just have to wait like everyone else.”

The weight was lifted from my shoulders.

I had my friend again. No. My best friend.

All was right in the world, and I blinked rapidly to keep the happy tears from falling.