Alex sat alone on the edge of his bed, staring at his phone. A text from his best friend, Mia, flashed on the screen. It was short, as always, just a simple “Hey, you busy?”
He sighed, knowing where this was going. Mia was the kind of person who showed up whenever she needed something, and Alex would always be there for her. Whether she needed help with her assignments, someone to vent to, or even a ride across town, Alex was her go-to. But lately, it started to weigh on him. He couldn’t shake the feeling that she took him for granted.
He typed back, “No, what’s up?”
Within minutes, her reply came, asking if he could help her with something again. Alex threw the phone onto the bed, running his hand through his hair. This time, it wasn’t just a simple favor. It felt heavier, like a burden. For years, he’d been her go-to friend, always reliable, always there. And yet, when he needed someone to talk to or just hang out, Mia was often too busy, too distracted.
He remembered a conversation they had a while back when she had casually said, “You’re like my best friend, Alex. I love you, you know? But, you’re always just... there.”
Those words had stuck with him. Was he really just there? He started to realize that maybe their friendship wasn’t as equal as he thought. Mia never seemed to put in the effort unless it was convenient for her. It hurt to think about it, but the truth was clearer now.
Alex stood up, pacing his room, thinking about everything. He knew he couldn’t keep going like this. The more he gave without receiving, the more it chipped away at him. It wasn’t that Mia was a bad person, but she wasn’t loyal in the way he needed her to be. She never truly valued what they had.
He picked up his phone again, staring at the screen. A message from Mia asking, “Can you come over? I really need your help.”
Alex sighed deeply. It was time to make a decision. He could keep going, pretending everything was fine, or he could finally stand up for himself. His heart raced as he typed out his response:
“Mia, I’ve always been there for you, but I can’t keep doing this. You take me for granted, and it’s not fair. I’m your friend, but you’re not loyal to me. It feels like I’m holding a cocked gun to my own head every time I let this go on. I can’t do this anymore. I need some space.”
He pressed send before he could second-guess himself. His heart pounded in his chest, but for the first time in a long while, he felt lighter. Alex knew it was the right thing to do. Letting go wasn’t easy, but it was necessary.
He sat back on his bed, staring out of the window. Sometimes, people you care about don’t see what they’re doing to you. And sometimes, you have to let them go, not because you don’t care, but because you care about yourself too.
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