Zeba

Zeba is a long-time friend from school -- we've been chatting since December 2022. One of my longest-running friendships.

The Foundation

Zeba and I go all the way back to our school days. December 2022 means she was there before anything changed, before I even thought about moving. She's part of that original crew of people who knew me when home was just... home. Not "the place I used to live" but actual home. We grew up in the same school environment, dealt with the same teachers, had the same inside jokes, and built the kind of friendship that comes from years of just being around each other.

The Visit Obsession

Okay so this is Zeba's whole thing and it's honestly hilarious. Ever since I moved, she's been on a mission to visit. And when I say she's been vocal about it, I mean ALL CAPS vocal. The messages go like: "OKAY COMING", "I WANT BURJ KHALIFA", "I WANT CHIPS." Like, the girl wants chips. Specifically. That's the level of enthusiasm we're dealing with.

Every conversation somehow circles back to when she's going to visit. She'll be talking about something completely random and then suddenly it's "so when can I come though." It's become a running joke at this point but also I genuinely want her to visit because I know she'd love it. Getting her those chips is on my to-do list for real.

What She Means to Me

Zeba is proof that real friendships don't just survive distance -- they stay exactly the same. She has the same energy she had when we were at school together. Loud, funny, genuine, and always keeping things interesting. Some people change when circumstances change, but Zeba is Zeba regardless of where anyone is on the map.

She's one of those friends who makes you realize that the people from your earliest chapters are special in a way that newer friendships can't replicate. Not better or worse -- just different. There's history there, and that history matters.

See also

• Material Gurlssss -- group chat