Who do you go to tell your biggest secret to? Who keeps you laughing in the middle of the night when you’re playing online games? These are the kinds of people who anchor us—friends who feel like a chosen family. There are some friendships that spark instantly, while others grow over time through small, shared moments. But the ones that last are built on something stronger than just convenience or common interests. They’re shaped by trust, effort, and the daily decision to show up.
In today’s fast-moving, digital, world, long-lasting friendships can seem rare and hard to find. We’re more connected than ever, yet it’s easy to feel distant. Schedules change, people move, and priorities shift. But despite all that, some bonds endure. What makes these friendships different? It’s not just the big milestones—it’s the moments in-between: showing up when it’s inconvenient, listening when it’s uncomfortable, and laughing when things don’t make sense.
Two friend groups, each with their own unique history, reflect the emotional layers of enduring friendships. Through inside jokes, conflicts, and time apart, their relationships have grown stronger, not weaker. Their stories offer quiet proof that friendship isn’t about being perfect—it’s about being present.
Photographs of their shared spaces—parks, hallways, cafés—capture more than just memories. They reflect the emotional weight of growing up together, of building something steady in a world that constantly changes.
Because in the end, real friendship isn’t just about whom you talk to every day. It’s about who stays, who listens, and who keeps you laughing when you need it most.
Michelle Sabcheva and Kevin Lu are two friends who know exactly what that means. They’ve been close ever since elementary school, and even now—years later—their friendship remains strong. Most students who attended the middle school P.S./.I.S 119 share a close bond together even to this day. They’ve spent years together in the same classroom, doing fun activities their school provides, and hanging outside of class. When the SHSAT rolled around, their friendship continued to persist even when a handful got accepted into Bronx Science. Today, they study together, have classes together, and hang out during their free leisure time. The group consists of Jakub Jankowski, Michelle Sabcheva, Kevin Lu, Mia Ortiz, Caren Fu, Grishelda Christabel, Diyan Mundeeruddin, Jessica Lin, Jason Li, James Li, and myself.
Michelle Sabcheva recently shared a memory that perfectly reflects the group’s dynamic: a group outing to see the new Minecraft movie. It might sound simple, but to them, it meant everything. It wasn’t just about watching a movie—it was about making the time, coordinating schedules, and just being together. “It’s just really nice,” Sabcheva said. “We’ve known each other for so long that it feels natural. No one has to try too hard. We just get each other.”
That kind of comfort only comes from time. And time, as anyone in high school knows, is precious. Between homework, extracurriculars, family responsibilities, and the looming pressure of college, it can be hard to stay close to people—even those you care about deeply. But for Sabcheva, and her friends, the effort is always worth it. Sometimes that means studying late together at the library or on FaceTime. Other times, it’s bringing snacks to share during a tough school week or just walking home together after a long day. They make space for one another, even when there’s barely any space left.
For friends like Katie Fong, Axel Lopez, and Evonne Chen, their bond grew in quiet, unplanned ways—through the kinds of moments that don’t feel like much at the time, but end up meaning everything. It might have started through a mutual friend or a shared class, but before long, they found themselves in the same group chats, sending each other memes at 1 a.m., sharing playlists, and debating where to go for food after school.
What makes their friendship special isn’t just the fun moments, like finding a new café to try or watching movies together—it’s the way they make space for each other. They don’t have to talk every single day, but when they do, it feels like picking up right where they left off. Katie might randomly send a TikTok that makes everyone laugh. Axel might suggest a spontaneous boba run when the week’s been rough. And Evonne? She’s the one who always remembers the little things—like how you like your coffee, or what your favorite song is.
They’re all busy, with different schedules and hobbies, but they find ways to stay connected—sometimes in small, simple ways, like a quick text check-in, and other times through big, spontaneous plans that just happen because they know they’ll make it work. In the morning, they sit together in the Bronx Science auditorium and hang out during SGI if they’re all staying after school. It’s the kind of friendship where no one has to try too hard, where it feels easy to just be yourself—awkwardness, bad jokes, and all. Axel Lopez ’26 describes it as “when you’re overwhelmed with school work and emotionally having people you can talk to is very reassuring.”
Their story shows that strong friendships don’t always have a flashy beginning or a perfect, matching vibe. Sometimes, it’s just about sticking around, showing up when it matters, and knowing that at the end of the day, you have people in your corner—no matter what.
How to Make Friends (Even When It Feels Awkward)
Making friends can be weird. You’re putting yourself out there without knowing how someone will respond, and yeah, sometimes it feels like middle school all over again. But it doesn’t have to be so intimidating.
Start small. Sit next to someone new in class or strike up a conversation about something easy—homework, music, or the lunch menu. People are usually more open than they seem, especially if you lead with kindness and curiosity. Join clubs or group activities where you’ll naturally run into the same people. Over time, those casual moments can turn into real connections.
Don’t stress over being “cool” or interesting. The best friendships grow when you’re just being yourself. It’s okay to be a little awkward at first. Everyone is.
Also, friendships take effort. If you like someone’s vibe, invite them to study, hang out, or just talk. Be the one who reaches out. And if it doesn’t click? That’s fine. Not every interaction has to lead to a deep bond.
The key is showing up, being open, and giving people the chance to get to know you. You don’t need a hundred friends—just a few good ones who get you.
Friendships come and go, and they can form in all kinds of ways. It’s also important to note that a big part of friendship is understanding that it’s healthy to grow apart and develop your own interest. It doesn’t mean that there’s something wrong with you, it just means that you are two distinct people who have separate journeys. Sometimes it’s just you and one other person who really clicks, and other times it’s a whole group that feels like a second family. There’s no one “right” way to be friends—as long as it’s built on trust, effort, and kindness, it’s real.
Whether you’ve known someone since elementary school or you just became close this year, what really matters is showing up for each other. It’s the small things that count—checking in when someone’s going through a tough time, laughing at the same inside joke for the hundredth time, or just being there, even when it’s not convenient.
At the end of the day, it’s not about how many friends you have, but about who makes you feel supported, heard, and genuinely happy. So don’t be afraid to reach out, stay in touch, and keep the people who matter close. Those everyday moments you share? They’re what make the best memories.
Whether you’ve known someone since elementary school or you just became close this year, what really matters is showing up for each other. It’s the small things that count—checking in when someone’s going through a tough time, laughing at the same inside joke for the hundredth time, or just being there, even when it’s not convenient.