Relationships are hard. Breakups are harder. Not only are they gut-wrenching to go through first-hand, but they can also be awful to witness.
The hardest is when both parties are friends of yours. You're stuck between a rock and a hard place, because you don't want to get caught in the middle, but you also can't sit on the sidelines and watch one of your friend's heart break.
Then, there's that awkward situation where someone wants to plan a group outting. What do you do? You don't want to leave one of them out of the fun, but you also don't want everyone to be uncomfortable because they are both there, and they brought along the tension and weirdness that no one wants to acknowledge.
Of course fights are going to flare, and your want to help a friend will overpower your fear of getting stuck in the oh so awkward middle territory. You dish up all of the "it'll be OK" and "give it time, and it will get better" lines you can think of, despite your knowing it won't make your friend feel any better. They continue to cry, and you continue to aimlessly search your brain for something new and helpful to say.
After countless minutes of attempting to calm them in the corner at the bar, trying to relieve them of tears and embarrassment, we all wish they would look up at us, tears running down their flushed cheeks and say, "You're right" -- and that would be that. But, of course not. Unfortunately, you must continue to ignore your other friends while trying to console this one, because you know you'd want someone to be there for you, too.
Breakups can really take a toll on people -- whether you're the one going through it, or the one having to comfort a companion. Despite the stress it may cause, the best thing you can do is just be there for them, and say whatever you think may help - eventually it'll start to sink in. In the end, they'll thank you for it, regardless of whether they listened or took your advice.
Sadly, while this person is balling their eyes out because they lost their better half, the other is out gallivanting with their buddies, enjoying their freedom. Perhaps this is the worst part about breakups? Knowing you, or your friends, are falling apart, while the other is starting anew. But, we all have to face it sometime or another, because unfortunately "when a heart breaks, no it don't break even."
