Hmm... Over here boyfriend or girlfriend means someone you are dating. Friend means just a friend, even if you say "my friend", unless it's a situation where a homosexual is on the surface hiding the relationship but still suggesting something between the lines, but that's quite a non-textbook case. Usually it suggests nothing special.

Mugger leader: "Did you bring anybody? We need lots of men for this job."
Mugger: "I brought my friend. He has the strength of two men and the wits of half a man."