This is indeed what love feels like.
A lot of people grew up with this mentality and still believed that love can only be shared with the opposite gender. It's not entirely true. I mean a lot of people love their parents. That's another love entirely that many people can't explain the bond we shared with our parents.

I used to be a very quiet girl. And I am never like that. I was staying with my mum and my little sister while I was in basic 3.
At school I never interact with any student except chioma. Chioma was my best friend then. Nobody can bully me when chioma is around. She will defend me, fight for me and sometimes get punished because of me.
She is so loving and caring. And that's why she is the only best friend I had then.

We parted ways when I relocated from that school and the environment. I lost all contact with her and till today I'm still looking for chioma, my friend. Because I have tried sharing the same bond with someone else and I discovered it's irreplaceable.
I miss her so much and I hope she is fine wherever she is.