"Friend" is an odd concept, it made more sense back on the school playground, and in younger years.
I prefer family, and family to me doesn't mean blood relative.
Family is less of a hang out and have fun thing, and more of a got each others back and look out for each other + our kin thing.
Everybody is busy asf now as adults, making a living and having wives n kids and all that. I still have friends I guess, we might find the time to chat, or catch up occasionally, but it takes more than that to earn my full trust and respect now.
I'm actually over having people in my life that just wanna joke around, chill and watch movies & play games and shit. There to soak up all the good times, but always leave you dry when it really matters. Friends are cheap and easy. I've had 100's of "friends" they come and go. I'm even friends with my local fruit and veg shop owner and the deli butcher.
But family is for life. If you're my family, and someone messes with you, or your grandparents for instance, they have to deal with me. If you're just my friend, well, that sucks for you my friend, and I might help you out... but would you do the same for me?
Even if your a mongrel, I'd rather be your friend than your enemy. But at the end of the day, fuck friends. Because it's all about family, and family is for life.