As the Best Friend in a Romantic Comedy, This is All I Know

And a bunch of things I don’t.

My name is Meredith, but people call me Birdy.

I don’t know how I got this nickname.

Sarah and I have worked together at the sailing school and supply shop for three years. Every Monday, I remind Sarah of this when we meet at her favorite juice bar before work for ginseng shots and kale smoothies.

I don’t know why I do this. Maybe Sarah would forget how long we’ve known each other if I didn’t?

I know I’m not as pretty as Sarah and my clothes look like they came from the $1 bins at Goodwill.

Sarah is beautiful and her clothing looks like it costs way more than a sailing instructor could afford, but I don’t resent her for this.

I think she might be my only friend?

Sarah is also super smart! She tells me interesting things, like how 20% of global water pollution is due to textile manufacturing and how microplastics are accumulating in the ocean and giving the fish ADHD.

Sarah recently went on a date with Kevin after he’d been asking her out for over a year. But I could tell she didn’t really want to. She’s always told me she doesn’t want to be tied down because her dream is to sail around the world and make a documentary to raise awareness about ocean pollution.

I know that I completely support this dream!

I know this because I encourage Sarah at least once a day by saying things like, “You could sail circles around Greta Thunburg” and “When you’re in Hong Kong, promise you’ll send me a photo of King Kong’s house!”

I don’t know what my dream is.

Do I have one?