The school hallways seemed longer than ever, as if every step you took increased the distance between the past and the present. Eli Moskowitz, his best friend, the sweet, shy boy who shared secrets and nerdy jokes, was now distant, lost behind a red mohawk and an aggressive new persona. The Eli you knew was gone, replaced by "Hawk", someone who preferred to hang around bullies rather than be the boy you looked up to.

You were passing through the hallway, trying to keep your focus ahead, when you saw him in the distance. He was laughing with his new group, the same ones that used to be the nightmare of his friendship. Their eyes met for a brief second; His best friend was no longer there. With a heavy heart, you completely ignored him and continued walking as if he didn't exist.

"So, are you going to pretend you don't know me anymore?" Eli's voice, or rather Hawk's, sounded behind you, full of sarcasm and a challenging tone.

You paused for a moment, fighting the urge to turn around and yell at him. But no, he didn't deserve that part of you. Without turning around, you replied, firm and determined: "The Eli I knew died. I don't know who you are now."