The act of fondling a friend

Plural of friendling.

When you realize you're good friends with someone and cant just call them a friend because you care about them more than an average passerby or classmate "friend," but also can't call them a best friend - so calling them a "friendling" is the in-between

Less than a friend, more than an acquaintance.

a friend of a friend
who you click with straight away

your best friend. duhh.