Friendship

The famous two-way street.
We all long for it, and no, it's never easy. Even for people who manage to socialize with others easily, a true, long-lasting friendship still takes time, dedication, and effort. Sure, an acquaintance is easier to come by, and with much less work. But a true friend, a person you'll be genuinely grateful to have them in your life, will come about only with patience.
Sometimes it's a struggle. Scratch that, it will always be a struggle. Two people spending that much time together and getting through that many conflicts is difficult. It doesn't matter your personality or relationship, it will be a challenge. Which is probably what makes the feel of a genuine friend so sweet.
However, it doesn't always work out. Though it's hard for some to accept, not everyone they meet will be a good friend. Sometimes, even relationships we hold close to heart need a bit of reconsideration.
I've seen this happen all too often. Hell, I've lived through the feeling. It's easy to cling on to people, especially when you're in a situation where you feel lonely or abandoned. While the person you glue yourself to may not be trying to manipulate you per se, you still have to think about their motives. What do they want from you? From your friendship? Is it more or less than your expectations?
While compromising is important, it's a give and take sort of thing. The more you give, the more you take. Some call it selfish, but it's not. You can't pour your heart out into someone who you wouldn't expect to ever be there. It's back and forth. An equilibrium that takes time to achieve, but with the right person, could one day be done by everyone.