My phone pings as I brush my teeth half asleep on a stormy Saturday morning. Confused as to who would text me before 10 a.m., I chuckle at the sight of The Sidekick media editor Rhea Chowdhary’s text popping up on my screen with four words in all caps: JAY, WANNA GET COFFEE?

I text back, still brushing my teeth: DUH.

Rhea’s spontaneity turned this rainy Saturday morning into hours of laughter and replays of Natasha Bedingfield’s “Unwritten.” Ironically, I have associated this song with Rhea’s warm personality since I got to know her earlier this school year.

Rhea is one of the kindest people I have the pleasure of knowing. At the beginning of the year, she went out of her way to set up an opportunity for us to co-host my first podcast, when she did not need to. She yells my name to simply say “hi” in the hallways, when she does not need to. And, she always gives me a hug when she thinks I need one, even when she does not need to.  

Amongst all the difficulties senior year of high school brings, I admire Rhea’s ability to treat everyone with respect and compassion. At any time, I know if a problem in Sidekick, stress from school or my lackluster dating life came up, she is always one call away. 

That is truly what sticks with me from my friendship with Rhea. She is not the friend I need to see every day or the one that I rely on purely for venting out my feelings. Rhea is my everything friend. 

Her unconditional warmth teaches me the best way to build a meaningful friendship is through the small things. The impromptu 151 Coffee runs where we talk over caramel macchiatos, the hugs on a sad day, the hyperextended waves from the bottom of the stairs to the top will all stick with me forever. 

Rhea, keep being you. The rest is still unwritten.

Follow @CHSCampusNews on X.