DS realized a long time ago that the term "best friend" was a loaded term often used with strings attached and not a sign of what he would consider true friendship. For example the phrase "if you sit with her at lunch I won't be your best friend anymore." Anyway, he has lots of friends, but will have nothing to to with a "best friend" --too limiting and too loaded. I think that this happens more with boys than girls, but surely there are exceptions.