Cross is a huge soccer fan. He loves rap music and listens to rock, rhythm and blues, classical, country and generally, good music. His favourite musician is Eminem. He loves to read fiction novels and just about anything readable. He is knows a lot of stuff and the guys are always asking him for the answers to a lot of things especially when there is a wager. I like all the above things. I like all the things that Cross likes. He is my best friend.

I tried to make some money by investing in the stock market. I started in late 2007 with advice from Cross and at first I made a killing but then, it got to my head and when he advised that I withdraw my funds from the market I would not listen. Then the stock market crashed in 2008. Cross started to invest in the market in 2004 and made a huge pile of money. How he knew to leave the stock market just before the crash I do not think I will ever find out but he knew. Now I am broke and Cross is having the time of his life. He shares with me though and that is one other reason he is my best friend.

I was an exceptional student in high school and finished as the best graduating student of my year. I thought that it was one thing I might have over Cross. It turned out he was also an exceptional student in high school and finished as the best graduating student of his year also but with higher grades than mine. Cross is just better than me at everything. I do not like it so much but he is still my best friend.

I obviously adore and envy Cross at the same time. I mean, just look at the ocean of difference between us. Still, he is there all the time for me. Whenever I have a complaint he always comes up with a perfect solution even though most times I do not listen to him or I am simply chicken or proud to do what he says. Despite all my shortcomings, he never picks a fight with me or keeps a grudge against me. I do not mind that he would do the same for others as long he does it for me. He is the best friend in the world and he is my best friend.

Cross has no problem of any kind. Myself? My landlord just served me with a notice of an increase in rent. I cannot believe he would actually raise the rent of this godforsaken hole of an apartment that I live in. I live in a dingy room with poor toilet facilities and Cross lives – and this is the most pathetic part of this little story – in my head.

He lives in a set of neuronal pathways in my head.

There is Cross and then, there is me.