calvin and hobbes
Calvin and Hobbesflickr

It is not every day that we see friendships where one is ready to die for the other. And it is stranger still, to see a friendship such as that out of fiction. 

On the eve of International Friendship Day, here's a list of friendships in literature that gave us some serious relationship goals. Some of these characters were ready to lay their life for each other while others became the rock for the other to rely upon. 

We tend to think that a relationship unless romantic isn't as interesting or fulfilling, but these characters with their loyalty stuck with their friends through thick and thin. 

The books that these characters feature in can be enjoyed with your friend. Reading doesn't have to be a solitary event this International Friendship Day. 

Calvin and Hobbes: The little boy and his tiger will never age in readers' imaginations. The characters in Bill Watterson's Calvin & Hobbes comics have stuck with their friend whether one was in an existential crisis or was just in a slump. And, the sceptics who think that Hobbes is imaginary, remember what Albus Dumbledore told Harry Potter in the last book in the series? 

Perks of Being a Wallflower: In this coming-of-age novel, the reader will encounter characters like shy, but highly intelligent Charlie, played by Logan Lerman in the movie adaption, who has been on the outside all his life until he meets Sam (played by Emma Watson) and her group of friends. Sam and her brother Patrick (played by Ezra Miller in the movie) bring Charlie out of his shell and teach him how to experience life.

Harry, Ron and Hermione: The trio has raised the bar for friendships all over the world. They have stayed with each other through the hardest and the most dangerous times. Instead of the fantasy series being about a lone boy struggling to beat evil incarnate Voldemort, JK Rowling made the books real. The characters adore each other and yet are human, they fight and squabble, but they always stay together.  

Mrs. Dalloway: For those who prefer mature literature, the old friendship between Clarissa Dalloway and her childhood friend Sally Seton borders on the risque, much like Virginia Woolf's relationship with Vita Sackville-West. The two were opposites who became friends and it left a bitter-sweet memory in Clarissa's mind. 

Peter Pan and Tinkerbell: They may be angry at each other quite a bit, but that's the charm of their bitter and sweet friendship. One is a tiny fairy and the other a young boy who can never age. Also, their stock of shenanigans and fun will never run dry. From adventures to saving each other, they have done it all. And Tinkerbell too exists because Peter believes in her. Isn't that what we want from friends after all?