Table of Contents

Introduction     9
Friendship is Essential
Everybody's a buddy     12
Lots of acquaintances, a handful of true friends     13
A fortunate meeting     15
Good-bye, childhood     16
The tale of the lobster     17
Say no to loneliness     19
Self-confidence     20
Being open to friendship     23
The rhythms of friendship     24
Phase 2
Bosom buddies: little things and big laughs     28
Similarities: two peas in a pod     30
Differences: two halves of a whole     32
Confidants: you tell each other everything     34
No need for words     36
Tolerance: you don't judge each other     38
Loyalty: you never turn your back     39
Notes and e-mails     41
Life is better when you're together     43
Solidarity: you stick together     44
Never letting go     46
Quotes     48
You and Others
Guy friends: all for one and one for all     52
Girlfriends: bffs!     54
Three's company: you, your friend, and her boyfriend     55
Girls and guys: can they really be "just friends"?     57
Cliques and groups: safety in numbers or just another fish in the sea?     58
Parents: friends or foes?     60
In private     62
Real Friends/Fake Friends
Your friend flicka     66
Brothers and sisters: beloved enemies     67
Much older siblings: sometimes like friends, sometimes just like parents     68
Your parents: your friends?     70
Dear diary     72
Mentors     74
Arguments and complications     75
Betrayal     77
Moving away?     78
Past, present, and future: friends forever?     80
Quotes     81
Suggestions for further reading     83
Index     85