Read the passage and answer the prompt that follows.

In the bustling neighborhood of Greenwood, where laughter echoed through the streets, lived an outgoing teen named Mason. He had always believed in the power of connection and poured his heart into every relationship he formed. However, it wasn't until he encountered a difficult conversation with his friend that he realized the painful truth that some friendships were simply not meant to withstand the test of time. One summer day, a disagreement erupted between Mason and his best friend Liam about how Liam recently cheated on a test. It started as a small argument but soon escalated into a battle of hurtful words and shattered trust. As the conflict unfolded, Mason realized that sometimes friendships are merely chapters in the story of life, written for the purpose of teaching us something new. Once the lesson has been learned, sometimes the friendship ends. Through the heartbreak and realization, Mason grew wiser, understanding that some connections are meant to be temporary, and that parting ways can pave the path for new and more fulfilling and healthy friendships to come into his life.

In a well-written paragraph of 3–5 sentences, achieve the following:

explain how the conflict between Mason and Liam contributes to developing the theme, "Not all friendships are meant to last."
provide textual evidence to support your response
use proper grammar, conventions, and spelling

The conflict between Mason and Liam contributes to developing the theme "Not all friendships are meant to last" by showing how a disagreement and breach of trust can lead to the realization that some friendships are only meant to serve a temporary purpose. As the argument escalates and hurtful words are exchanged, Mason learns the painful truth that some connections are not meant to withstand challenges. This is evident in the passage when Mason reflects on the conflict and acknowledges that friendships can come to an end once the lesson has been learned, paving the way for new and more fulfilling relationships to enter his life.