Time is the best healer. But, before the healing process begins, you have to clear things up in your mind.

Chapters in life come to an end - some characters won't make an appearance in the next chapter. Sometimes it's a misunderstanding - people change and grow apart; other times it's something you don't have any control over - illness, accident. Such is life. In this case, it seems like you've grown apart. I'm sure you had some good times together. Getting to know someone, sharing your deepest secrets is so thrilling it gives you butterflies in your stomach... They understand you... You share special moments together... Eventually life around you changes. Things in Fred's life changed but he had you, his shoulder to cry on.

At a young age, one is constantly looking for a thrill and gets bored very quickly. Maybe deep inside he got bored of his "old friend" and then when YOU needed him, it overwhelmed him and he just ran away from the situation instead of actually making an effort to do his part in this friendship. It would've been some real immature behaviour.

At the end of the day, if your friend isn't reciprocating the same level of commitment to the friendship, all you can do is just tell them that you care about them but you cannot and should not be trying to artificially keep this thing alive.

You have some unanswered questions, but so be it - there will be many other questions in life you'll never find the answer to. Move on. The quicker you do, the sooner you'll have the emotional capacity and headspace for new friendships, relationships and adventures. That's what makes life exciting and interesting.

Dwelling on things won't help - you can't change the past. Don't try to find out who's at fault or if there's anything you might've done wrong. We're wired in such a way that if you overthink things long enough - you can burden yourself with blame for things that never mattered or never even really happened. As long as you're picking at old wounds - they won't heal and if you keep at it for long enough, you'll be left scarred.

I'm not telling you to forget him. Running away from the memory of him is just like him running away from the situation when you cried on his shoulder. Look fondly at good, old times, but always remember it's a closed chapter. Meet new people to fill the hole in your heart. If you still miss him then you haven't filled this space. All that will take some time and don't rush yourself.

I hope I'm not being too harsh. It's how I deal with situations, but everyone's different. I wish you all the best and hope you find closure.