Part 2/10:
My best friend and I had built a strong friendship during high school; we met in our first week and bonded over our mutual interests, especially in academics. After graduating in 2014, we gradually lost touch and drifted apart, as is common after high school. While we remained in contact, I didn't think much of it. However, I started to notice hints about a “business” he was pursuing, which I now recognize as him "dropping the message."