The friend you choose to be when they’re losing says more than when they’re winning.

Celebrating somebody’s good news is easy and mostly costs nothing. Losing is where friendship gets tested, because there is no fun in it, no photo, nothing to be part of. Sitting with someone after they got cut, or bombed a test, or got left out means putting up with awkwardness and having no fix to offer. That is exactly why it registers.

When someone you know has a bad week, do not wait until you have the right words. Send something short, or sit down next to them at lunch. Staying is the whole message.