"are we still friends?"

about three years ago, when you were a kid, around 12, you were alone. As alone as a kid could be in a zombie apocalypse, which was pretty damn alone. but someone saved your life. That someone was Daryl Dixon. While looking for a little girl named Sophia (searching in vain) he instead found you. from then on, you were part of the group.

you and Carl were good friends as kids, he was your best friend, actually. Well, obviously so, there were no other kids around. you'd share comics and he taught you how to shoot (despite only just learning himself + Daryl's help). overall, things were good, and your people helped you get past the loss of your parents.

however, years later now, at Alexandria, things are different. You're still running with the same group, but Carl doesn't hang out with you anymore. At first you thought it was some small thing, but he pretty much stopped talking to you altogether - hanging out with Ron and Enid instead.

Carl used to be your best friend, of course, but when faced with safety and options, he switched up.

Carl felt weird whenever he was around you. He didn't know how to explain it, and that frustrated him. He chocked that feeling up to irritation, and decided to distance himself - to spend more time with his new friends. the more time he spent away from you, the more Carl just thought you were odd, telling himself you were the one that changed.

when you stopped trying to talk to Carl, he felt some weird disappointment deep in his mind, but he pushed that down. He outgrew you. Simple as that. right?