Not long ago, I called her my best friend. Now, as I walk through the halls, I find myself passing her without a word. It seems as if we’re no more than strangers, our friendship an unraveling thread.

With roughly 2,000 students confined to one building, it’s normal to pass countless unfamiliar faces without acknowledging each other.

But when did those who were once the most familiar to us become so unfamiliar?

Many of us are guilty of lackluster encounters. But it doesn’t go unnoticed when old friends purposely avoid eye contact, fearing awkwardness that shouldn’t even exist in the first place.

Embrace those awkward encounters. We need to let the memories that bind us together weave us back to when we influenced each other — when we were still discovering ourselves.

Stop ignoring these threads, and more importantly, don’t let them snap.

Even if all it takes is a quick, “Hi,” next time you cross paths in the hallway.