Sad things to start off a story: A lost friendship.

You can start with the empty pet bed. The protagonist wakes up in the morning, half - expecting to see their furry friend curled up there, but it's just a sad, empty space. It makes them remember all the mornings they woke up to the pet's gentle nuzzling.

'The Shattered Bond: A Tale of Lost Friendship'. This title clearly conveys the main theme of a broken friendship. It gives a sense of something that was once whole and strong but is now in pieces.

There was a time when Sarah and Emily were inseparable. They had been best friends since they were little kids. But one day, a misunderstanding happened. It all started when they were planning a trip together. Sarah thought Emily had changed the destination without telling her, and from that moment, a rift began to form between them.

A good way to start is to set a gloomy atmosphere. Maybe describe a rainy day or a desolate place. Also, start with a poignant memory of the main character. That can draw the readers in right away.

You can start by showing the end of a friendship. Such as 'The last time they saw each other, there were no hugs, no goodbyes, just a cold, empty stare. Their once - unbreakable friendship had crumbled into pieces, and neither of them knew how it had all gone so wrong.' This gives a sense of finality and sadness right from the start. It makes the reader curious about what led to this sad state of affairs. It also creates an emotional impact as the idea of a strong friendship ending so abruptly is quite sad.

A title like 'Goodbye, Old Friend: The Sad Demise of Our Bond' would work. It directly conveys the sense of loss in a friendship. Friendship is a precious connection, and when it fades away, it can be really heart - breaking. This title captures that feeling.

One way is to begin with a description of a lonely place, like 'In the desolate cemetery, the cold wind blew through the withered grass as the old tombstones stood in solemn silence.'

Sure, they can. Many great stories begin with a sad tone to set the stage for growth and change.

You can also start with a sad event from the past that still haunts the character. 'Every time she passed by that old oak tree, memories of that fateful day flooded back. The day her world had turned upside down and nothing had been the same since.' This immediately creates a melancholic mood as it shows that the character is still affected by a past tragedy, and the reader wants to find out what exactly that event was.

Amy and Lisa were friends since childhood. They shared all their secrets, dreams, and fears. However, when they entered high school, Lisa became popular and started to hang out with the 'cool kids'. She gradually distanced herself from Amy. Amy was left feeling alone and betrayed. She couldn't understand why Lisa had changed. She tried to reach out, but Lisa ignored her. Amy's heart was broken as she watched her once - dear friend become a stranger, and the memories of their friendship now only brought her pain.