WILL THEY EVER BE BFFS AGAIN?

Dear Jellybean,

I have a problem thats been with me for a while. My best friend of two years suddenly changed when we started high school. She started hanging out with girls from another school and acted like I didn't exist. At the time it didn't seem like it was a big deal because I figured she'd come back around. I started hanging out with different people as well. Then, my ex best friend started being the biggest bitch ever, and everyone started to dislike her, including me. We've stopped hanging out since this happened in about November. But now, she comes out for lunch with me and my friends and she acts soo different now its unbelieveable. Shes all about watching what she eats and making sure she doesn't go over her calorie limit. She was never ever like that before. I also went to her house the other day and the whole time I was there our conversations were filled with 'remember whens.' That really got me thinking, what happened to us? Why did she change so quickly? Do you think we'll ever become best friends again? Because I honestly can't even describe how much I miss her company and having her around. I really don't know what to do. She was too close of a friend to just forget about.

Dear Writer,

I have to be honest: I don't know the answers to your questions. What happened to you? Who knows, it could have been so many things, some having to do with you two, others having to do with outside forces. Why did she change so quickly? Again, nobody knows that, except maybe your friend. Will you ever be BFFs again? Could be, or maybe not.

Here's the thing, though. As long as you have the willingness to forgive your friend for acting like such a goof for all those months, and she's willing to make an effort to get back to being a good friend to you, there's a decent chance that you'll be able to mend the split between you, and repair your bond so that it is, if not as super-strong as it was before, at least the basis for a new friendship between you.

Be honest with your friend. Honesty, along with kindness, is going to be the glue that cements any growing friendship between you two girls. Let her know how much you missed her when you two weren't hanging out, express your concerns (gently) about any new behaviors she's picked up - such as being a picky eater, and share your hope that you two can get back to the great friendship you had before all this happened. If she's of the same mind-set, knowing that you want to be close again will give her the confidence to try, and you're off and running toward happier days. Good luck with it!