The Untimely Friendship

Most friendships start because of similarities between two people. You could have similar interests, goals, hobbies, or maybe even a similar background. Some friendships start because of bullying, others because of mutual friends or maybe even family friends. But unlike most friendships, Layla and Olivia appeared to have different perspectives on life, but maybe that's what they needed.

Olivia moved to a new high school and that's where she met Layla. Layla noticed that Olivia was having a tough time fitting in, so she approached her. They had a flowing conversation and began to talk more. Olivia could not understand how someone like Layla can get along with her so well. They had so many differences.

Olivia grew up in a small town with her older brother and parents. Layla, on the other hand, grew up in a much larger and wealthy family. Layla appeared to be more outgoing, she enjoyed partying and getting drunk with her friends. Olivia, on the other hand, was more preserved and enjoyed being alone or at least in quiet places. Olivia liked to listen to R&B, pop and blue-eyed soul music, while Layla liked to listened to hip hop, trap and rap. Olivia preferred sweat pants and hoodies, while Layla preferred crop tops and jeans. Layla wore expensive outfits while Olivia preferred more average outfits. Layla rolled with iPhone gadgets, while Olivia used android. Olivia went to a Christian School while Layla went to a more crazy and messed up school. Layla was comfortable being around as well as using bad language while Olivia couldn't stand it.

Olivia was more of a tom boy while Layla was more girly. Layla was more short tempered, while Olivia was more patient and forgiving. Olivia was quiet while Layla was loud. They had so many differences but maybe that's what they needed. They could balance each other out.

Olivia moved to a new high school and that's where she met Layla. Layla noticed that Olivia was having a tough time fitting in, so she approached her. They had a flowing conversation and began to talk more. Olivia could not understand how someone like Layla can get along with her so well.

The more they talked the more they realized how much they had in common putting aside their differences. They played soccer together all the time. Layla helped Olivia with free-kicks while Olivia helped Layla with dribbling and freestyle skills. The two were inseparable.

They went on school trips together. Went out for food and picnics together. Layla taught Olivia how to take better pictures. On Layla's birthday, Olivia got her expensive shoes, chocolates, candy, roses and a necklace. When it was Olivia's birthday Layla bought her shoes, clothes, a necklaces, flowers and lots of candy. They went to each others houses on weekends for sleep-overs. They took each other to their favorite places around town. They began a blog together and did videos together. It was always Liv and Layla. When Olivia would go up to the seniors classrooms everyone knew she was there for Layla and when Layla went down to the juniors classrooms everyone knew she was there for Olivia. Because Layla was one of the coolest, most famous and wealthiest people in school, everyone in the school knew her. Layla would tell everyone that Olivia was her sister and just like that everyone in school began to treat Olivia much better and she began to fit in. Olivia didn't like the attention a lot so she didn't talk to that many people even though many people would approach her. When they'd go for football games,they would always assist each others goals. When anyone said or did something disrespectful to either f them, it'd be like they were both disrespected. Two totally different people that ended up into best friends and balanced each other out. Olivia began to listen to Layla's type of music and Layla would listen to Olivia's. They began to respect and enjoy each others differences. They learnt from each other. When one of them would be unsure about someone or something, they'd ask the other person and without question, they'd trust the answer. They were goals.

There friendship changed into sisterhood, but there was always one thing that bothered Olivia. Layla would go out to party for long hours and get drunk. Olivia cared for her so much so she decided to tell Layla how she really felt. Layla was angry. This caused an argument as they did not agree on this. Layla thought that all the loser she hang out with all night were her friends and Olivia was just jealous that Layla went out with her other friends instead of hanging out with her. Olivia only wanted the best for Layla, and she knew that if Layla continued drinking she'd get hurt eventually.

For a while, they talked but the conversations weren't the same. They seemed forced. Days went to weeks then to months and eventually to years. Eventually, they stopped talking.

Suddenly, Layla got arrested for drinking and driving. The only family she recorded was Olivia. When Olivia found out that Layla had been arrested, she immediately rushed to the police station and took Layla out on bail. Layla asked her "why did you help me. We don't even talk anymore" but Olivia said to her " just because we don't talk doesn't mean I don't think, worry or care about you. I will always look out for you even if you don't want me to. You're my best friend. I'll always have your back." Layla hugged Olivia and said, "I'll always have yours too." 

A few weeks later, Olivia finally agreed to let go of all her drinking habits, and all the losers that got drunk with her. Layla went to rehab. She got treated for months and Olivia visited her quiet a few times. Olivia would take her some of her favorite foods, drinks, and flowers. They'd even watch movies together sometimes.

Finally Layla got out of rehab and Olivia gladly took her in at her house to make sure Layla doesn't go back to her old ways. The two then began to catch up on life and talked more. They'll never be the same again, but they could either become better than they ever were or maybe worse. After what they'd been through together, they realized that their friendship will be tested, but it's up to them to either watch it fall apart or try to hold it up.

Instead of putting aside their differences and looking at their similarities they realized that instead of pushing aside what they didn't really like or agree on together, they would help each other work on those differences and change their differences from being weaknesses to strengths. They started off as two totally opposite strangers to two people that understand each other more than anyone.

 "Friendships have never been about where you start, but rather where you finish."- Bwalya Mubanga.