Its kinda hard to be there and support someone who hasn't entirely been there for you. Although the mates may have grown up together with him since they were kids, they were once close and now they find it hard to even get a decent conversation when they do meet up at those accidental times - awkward silences will happen too often.

So would he still be considered a close friend even though he dissappeared 5yrs+? or would he now just be considered as one of those friends you just say 'hi-bye' too?