So, I met this friend of mine on a course I took while trying to apply for a position at this really reputable company. Honestly, I struggled to grasp some of the material, and she was a big help to me back then. Time went by, we finished the course and stayed in touch. She was still living off her parents, while I was married and didnt have that cushion of support.
I was job hunting and got lucky because a mate put in a good word for me. The whole recruitment process took ages though. Wed meet up every so often, but more often than not shed bail last minute, saying its got too late. I was busy myself, but we kept on chatting now and then, until they finally called us in for paperwork and exams. By that time, I wasnt working and was scrimping and saving for some medical stuff I needed. She, on the other hand, had her parents covering everything.
When exam day came, she passed on her first go, while I didnt. I gave it two more tries and failed both. I asked if she could help me revise, but she always seemed too busy. Then she just vanished all through December and January. I kept looking for work, but nothing came along until mid-Februaryit was a really tough time. When I finally got a job, I was working weekdays and weekends to make ends meet.
Then, near the end of February, she got in touch wanting to meet up in March. Honestly, I wasnt keen; I didnt want to see anyone from that crowd anymoremissing out on the job had hit me hardbut shed always felt like someone special, so I agreed. We were supposed to meet up on a Saturday, so I had to ask for time off at work. I messaged her Friday night to confirm, but got nothing back. Saturday comesstill nothing. We never met up. I ended up in hot water with my manager for cancelling my shift, and she only messaged me Monday saying thered been a family issue.
I was so annoyed, I blanked her for three months. Then, after Id had an operation, she randomly phoned me. I told her Id just come out of surgery and wasnt really myself, but we chatted anyway. She said, Get some rest and Ill ring later to check in, but she never did.
Two months later, she texted saying she wanted to meet up, but only during the week. By that point, I was doing afternoon classeswhich cost me a small fortuneso skipping them for her was out of the question. At first I hesitated and almost said yes out of habit, but I pulled out in the end.
After that, she kept ringing me, asking how I was, but it honestly felt like she was taking the mick. Shed ask about my family, always bringing up whether my parents had split yet. Truth is, its not my fault her parents divorced. I started to pick up on these snide remarks and gradually stopped botheringId give her short answers, sometimes even made things up just to get her off my back.
One by one, I started removing her from my socials, until by the following March I finally deleted the last connection. She messaged me, but I just ignored her. The day after my birthday, she actually called me, acting like I owed her some big explanation. She rattled on about how she always tried to help me and couldnt understand why Id pushed her away. I said, look, I never even have time for myself, but somehow I manage to post photos out with different people. I just told her, Go be with others.
In the end, she said she just wanted to help and wont bother me again. Honestly, it hurt. Nowadays it feels so much harder to trust people. I think she only ever wanted me to be okaybut not better than her, you know? She never truly cared, even though I made an effort with her.
Sometimes I wonder if she saw me as more than a friend, because shed always make jibes about my husband, push me to invite him out, or comment on pictures of other girls. I was always open and honest with hermaybe that was my mistake. It stings, because she clearly didnt care: she just wanted to keep me around for herself. I really thought our friendship was real and that we had tons in common, but it turns out we didnt. Trust isnt easy for me anymore. I want more good mates in my life, but its just not easy.
