she* was the smart one
with a cute little smile
and heart full of kindness
she was the prettiest
and the smartest
and people
were either jealous of her
or
they wanted to be her
she was the one
who held my hand the most
and made me feel
like i was the best
of us all

we swam together
one on each lane
racing to the finish
or just helping each other make it
to the finish line

we laughed together
at the jokes that were cracked
laughing until our stomachs ached
and our eyes filled with tears

we sang together
four little voices trying to blend together
messily
but happily
we were happy

then she moved away
to a different place
to a different school
to different people

i remember
when she cried
when we had to part

i remember
when she felt lonely
and wrote me a letter
but lost it

i remember
when she had her first kiss
she was so excited
and so happy

and i remember
when she no longer called
and rarely texted
and weeks turned into months
before we'd finally meet
and talk
and tell each other
i miss you
keep in touch

but the promises are empty
because we say
but we never do
and her text are rare
and her calls rarer still

and what can i do
but sit here
and watch
as she goes out into the world
and the world changes her
until she only was
the person i once knew best