My Super Star Best Friend
It must be...5 years since i first e-mailed Hannah. I saw her name in a magazine when I was 13...she was looking for e-pals..and so was I! So, I e-mailed her that day...she had replied within the hour! We hit it off straight away. We both liked he same music and bands...we loved the same programmes...And we shared a love for dancing, singing and acting.
We would e-mail each other at least once a day, usually more, and we would chat about anything and everything. I knew I could tell her anything and trust her with my biggest secrets. She knew everything about me...and I knew everything about her. I remember when she got a new boyfriend...and how jealous I was. She was about 14 I think. And she would always talk about him. But it didn't work oout. I got an e-mail from her...I could tell how upset she wassss. So, I plucked up the courage to ring her for the first time!
I was so nervous! I sat by the phone for about 20 minutes, dialling the number, and hanging up. Then I finally rung..."Is Hannah there please?" It was her!! We chatted for about ah hour! It was brilliant to hear her voice. She was so bubbly, even though she was upset. We talked about everything, as we always did. I knew then that she was my best friend.
From then on, we rung each other every other night, and we'd chat for about an hour each time! It didn't matter that we were miles apart, she was still there for me and I was there for her.
It must have been about a year after we'd started writing to each other that she told me she had got the lead part in a school play. She was so excited, and I was excited for her! Acting was what she loved, and the part also gave her the chance to dance and sing. It was perfect!
A couple of days after that, I received two tickets in the post...for Hannah's play! She had booked two tickets for me and my mum to go and see her! I was so excited and couldn't wait to see her. It was then that the phonecalls started coming daily...we'd chat about all the things we were going to do: I was going to go down the night before the play, and we were going to stay at her house, then in the morning we were going to go shopping, and then see her play the next evening. Then, the next morning, she was going to introduce me to her friends!!
Then a terrible thing happened...I fell ill. One morning, I was just too weak to get out of bed! The play was only two days away. I knew I HAD to get better. And I tried my hardest, I did! But there was no use!
on the morning before I was supposed to go to Hannah's, my mum dialled Hannah's number and held the phone to my ear, I remember when I heard Hannah's voice, I just burst into tears. Of course, Hannah knew what that meant..
"Don't worry," she reassured me, "We can do it another time. Just you get yourseld all better again!"
As it turned out, I spent 3 months bedridden. Hannah would still ring me every daay...and talk to my mum if I wasn't well enough...just to make sure I was okay. Then one day I got a package in the post. It was a video. Hannah had set up a video camera at her plaay...especially for me! I watched it immediately. I had a tear in my eye throughout. She was so...good! She was a natural on stage...so confident!! That was one thing I lacked: confidence. I had once got the lead part in a play, but I turned it down, as I couldn't face the audience! Seeing Hannah, my best friend, up on the stage doing everything I'd ever dreamed of...it was amazing! She was amazing! It was also wierd to see her in front of me for the first time. I'd never even seen a picture of her before!
At the end of the play, everyone shouted for an "ENCORE!" and the cast came back to sing a song...Hannah looked so happy! Then when the play finished, she had recorded a special message for me. She was sitting in front of the camera, still wearing the stage clothes. The message was, "Hi, it's me! Hope you enjoyed that! I thought you might like to see the plaay. I'm really sorry you couldn't come and see it, I was really looking forward to seeing you! Never mind, as long as we can do it soon! Just hurry up and get better!! Oh, and thanks for being the best ever friend a girl could have. I don't know what I'd do without you! Now I've run out of things to say, so I must go. Bbbbyyyyyyeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!" and then she blew me a kiss. I still remember that message like it was yesterday. I watched it so many times! Anyway, itt really made my day to see Hannah like that. I fought really hard to get myself well so that we could meet for real...
In fact, 2 weeks later, I was walking again! Hannah had given me the determination and motivation I needed!!
I must have known Hannah for...2 years maybe, when I remember her telling me she was going to audition for a pop group. She hadn't told any of her friends at school, because they would laugh at her. Apparently there were to be 7 members...4 girls and 3 boys...in an all-singing, all-dancing pop group. I was so happy for Hannah, obviiously hoping that she would get in. But, I know it sounds awful, I was so envious. She was getting everything I ever wanted! Whereas I'd been told that I would probably never be able to dance due to my illness...at least not the way I used to. Ah well, Hannah was my best friend and I loved her. And I hoped and hoped that she would fulfil her dreams even if I didn't.
A few months later, Hannah had been selected for the band and was signing a contract. From this moment on, the e-mails and phonecalls became less frequent. I'd usually hear from her weekly, but sometimes it would take as long as a month for her to reply.
It was...the summer of '98 I think...when Hannah's band, Sclub7, became really famous. They had recorded an album, made a television series...Hannah was doing everything she'd always wanted. And it was obvious she was perfect for the job.
That was also the summer I fell ill again. While Hannah was touring the world promoting new albums and singles, I was in hospital for 4 weeks, and bedridden for a further 2 months. At one point, I lost the feeling in my legs. I would always make sure I watched and taped every appearence Sclub7 made on T.V and I'd watch the tapes constantly. I'd have tears in my eyes, this time through sadness. I still dreamed of having what Hannah had, but at one point, doctors wondered if I'd ever walk again. I was so weak.
I wasn't even able to get to my computer to check my e-mails! so, every day, I would get my Mum to read out any e-mails I had. I waited and waited and waited...and finally, at the end of September it must have been, I got an e-mail from Hannah. My mum read it out to me:
"To my bestest friend, hello, how are you? I am really sorry for being a bad best friend lately. But some really WOW stuff has happened! Sclub7 have really taken off...the album's due for release soon...I know that's no excuse. I should have been there for you. Your mum e-mailed me a few weeks ago and said that you were ill again. I'm going to try harder...A LOT harder to be there for you I promise. After all the times you've been there for me, I must start repaying you! I still really luv ya! YOu know I do! You're my best friend forever and I've misse you so much! And I am still waiting for the meet-up! Get in touch as soon as you can! And hope you get well soon! lots and lots of love, your best friend, Hannah. xxxxxx"
Apparently, hearing Hannah's e-mail was the first thing to make me smile in months! And I replied straight away, reading out the message, with my mum typing it. I got an e-mail back straight away, saying that Hannah wanted to meet me as soon as I was better and there'd be no excuses this time!
So, I began another struggle to get better. Hannah and I managed to keep in touch. She'd ring me from tour buses and backstage at TV shows...I had my Hannah back!
The following December, I found myself sitting in my living room, waiting for that knock at the door. It came all too soon! "Oh my God," I remember thinking, "This is it! My best friend is behind that door!"
When my mum opened the door, Hannah burst in! She ran to me and hugged me so tight! I couldnt believe I was finally touching her! I was finally with my best friend! After we got over the initial shock of meeting each other, we wiped away the tears and went up to my bedroom. We listened to some music, and we even watched the video of the play that she had filmed for me all those years ago! It was such a laugh to see her cringe at how she used to beeeee!
At the end of the day, when Hannah had to leave, she gave me the biggest cuddle imaginable, and we both burst into tears. I didn't ever want to let her leave me again!
The next day I received an e-mail from Hannah, saying how she'd had so much fun and that she couldn't wait to see me again! And she invited me to stay at her house for the weekend next time she had some time off.
And this really happened...3 weeks later I was at her house. She introduced me to her friends and the rest of Sclub7, and I even went backstage at a TV performance! I felt so proud to see her up on stage.
Now here we are: The year 2000! Everyone has heard of Sclub7! They've released numerous singles and 2 albums...but best of all, Hannah and I have remained best friends through it all! I haven't been ill again either which I am sure is down to Hannah and all her positive thoughts. The e-mails and phonecalls still don't come every day, but it doesn't matter. Hannah knows that I am here for her whenever she needs me and vica-versa.
So, although our lives have taken very different paths, Hannah and I are proof of how people can remain friends through and hurdles. And although the rest of the world may see her as the superstar from Sclub7, I will always see her as...my best friend.
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