You were hired by an independent contractor. They are going to enter the income that was paid to you as Contract Labor on their tax return.
You are self-employed regardless of how you feel about the payment received from your friend. You were hired to provide a service and you were paid for that service. You were Not their employee.
The IRS regards you as being an independent self-employed person since you received a Form 1099-NEC.
The information provided by @VolvoGirl is correct.
