this one goes out to you.

This one goes out to the countless times people are shaking their head in disbelief when it comes to our thirteen years of friendship. For the countless laughter we shared in your house, the mindless conversations that run from lunchtime to the middle of the night, from the serious talks to the ones we could never remember five minutes after, thanks to the hyena-like laughter that follows once we realize how random and ridiculous it all was. For understanding each other's jokes, which are sometimes out of this world. For our countless share of Soho sandwiches and milk teas. For our family vacations and afternoon strolls eating Wafflestops and dipping our feet into the hotel swimming pool at night talking about college like a couple of smartasses, as if we'd had any clue.

This one goes out to the many times I sneaked to your house to grab my  favorite drink--which is always in stock in your fridge--even when you were not around. To the countless times you bullied me to no end, to the many pranks and surprises you pulled tirelessly (the one on my 17th birthday party being the best; but let's not go there now.) to the fact that my 'explosive', expressive personality clashes terribly with your reserved, insensitive one.

This post is for you. For being the only person in the whole freaking universe who said: ''Oh. Terus?" when I, dramatically (as you may say), stressed the importance of my lung illness to you the other day. For continuing to shop casually at the flea market as if nothing happened when I practically yelled at the top of my lungs in pain because I just ate something ridiculously spicy with my hand then scratched my eyes with it. For practically rolling your eyes every time I came to you with the same dilemma, the same confusion, for dismissing my dramatic flair in life with your sarcastic wit. For staring back at me with that dead, expression-less face when I giddily told you about my latest crush and every detail about our date I could possibly blurt out and then cutting me off mid-sentence saying, "Yeah....he's a jerk, you just don't know it yet." For that unforgettable moment when I screamed, scared shitless because you just managed to bully me into getting into a full-loop roller coaster that you know terrifies me to death and there was nothing I could do about it asIwasalreadytrappedunderthebelt.

This  is for our fights. For yelling at you for your stupidity for not listening to me and for being such a protective friend that I went over the line. For the year we drifted apart. For our misunderstandings, our selfishness, our ego (thank God you broke up with that one, so technically I WIN.) ( Not that anyone's counting. Anyways). This post goes out to you and your astounding ability to mentally slap me in the face whenever I wasn't thinking clear. To deliver harsh advises, uncensored, as an effort to knock some sense into my head when I lived in denial. For never thinking twice to say what's on your mind, with no sugarcoating whatsoever, which makes you stand out from any other person I know. For just sitting there  offering your shoulders and arms when I exploded in tears during my breakups, my battles, my lowest points....and  for never, not even once, saying 'I told you so' despite the many times the term perfectly fits.

You're living a million miles away from where I am right now, working your ass off to reach your ultimate dream, which I'm insanely proud of and I will never be tired in reminding you of. Here's to more uncontrollable laughter, public embarrassment, pleasant surprises, heart-to-heart talks in your room, the infamous iPod shuffle game that you came up with to lift my ugly moods. Here's to that day, thirteen years ago, when I approached you like a clueless, happy-go-lucky elementary school kid tapping your shoulder, ready to make a new friend, and with a huge friendly grin on my face, said, "Hi! My name is xxx. I think your brother is best friends with my sister! What's your name??" And all you did was stare back at me with that trademark expressionless face, turned, and walked away.

The only wish from me would be for you to stay exactly the way you are. As my best guy friend in the whole world with freakishly absurd, creative brain and unpredictable word vomit who always supports me in whatever I do and whom I admire for never giving a fck about what other people say. I wish you an unlimited, uncomplicated happiness, and may you finally meet that one person who deserves to see the real you and your awesomeness. Here's to more insane stories I'll hear from Paris, to more twisted tales of our love lives, to whatever's next, to being on our way to reach our dream goals. Here's to more unexpected roller coaster rides I look forward to share with you.

This one goes out to you, for knowing myself better than I do.

Happy 25th Birthday, Kae.

Love,
me

p.s: I'll get you back one day, for all those pranks and surprises. I swear.