Friends, or less?
The story
Being a teenager has shown me that I can be easily replaced by another person. Like in fresh man year of high school, me and our group of five friends (me included.) Was nervous and hoped that we were all atleast together in the classroom. When the week the students in each classroom was announced, two friends from that group was happy that they were together in a classroom. Later on, the other 2 friends were told that they were classmates and were in the same classroom in school. When they noticed I was the one left out, they felt bad. But I knew they were too happy to be with one another than to acknowledge the fact that I was left out. But well, me not wanting to be pitied, I reassured them it was fine and that I can handle being alone. Fast forward in the ending of the first semester, I notices they gradually grew more distant and made other friends, whilst still being together with the friend in the same classroom. One day, after classes were over. Me and my ex-friend (Anna from my first story) went to our usual waiting area to wait to be picked up. We were greeted by my friend in the same group, Rachel. (The same Rachel from my first story.) We haven't seen each other in a couple days, but they've seen each other many times after classes because of tutor lessons. Rachel exclaimed "Anna, I missed youu!" With a joyful smile. When she finally noticed me she just said a regular "oh hii!" Then she noticed that she and Anna see each other everyday and laugh with her. I was watching them with a slight smile, not wanting them to sense my unease. Those days, I saw that the friends I bonded with random stuff, bonded with each other about the stuff they used to bond with me. I rarely talk to all of them through private messages. And I kept to myself, playing my video games to get distracted. Maybe it was my fault they gradually grew distant. Maybe I didn't give them the attention they wanted, but instead gave them the opposite. Maybe- geez.. This is really cringe..
(I haven't talked to them about my feelings since I dont wanna be pitied and force them with the memory of what made my mental health to grow worse.)
Stories in the same category
Points of view
I can definitely relate to your experience—high school dynamics can be quite competitive. It's tough when you start wondering if you’ve become extraneous to your own friend group. It sounds like your friends naturally gravitated towards those they spent more time with, which is unfortunately common in these environments. Maybe they didn't realize the alienation they were causing. I’ve been in a similar situasion where I was sidelined by friends, too. It made me question my interpersonal skills but also helped me develop resilience. It is challenging and emotionally draining, and I wish there were a more systematic approach to handling such relational attrition in those years. Stay strong; it sounds like you've managed the situation gracefully. 😊
I think you might be overthinking it a bit! you know people, just drift apart sometimes... it doesnt mean you can be replaced just like that 🤔
I had a group of pals once and we all ended up in different places too! but we all stayed cool in our ways. It's like part of growing up and finding new circles... dont stress it too much! just be yourself always!
wow, I totally get where you're coming from, feeling left out like that can really sting!!! but honestly, it happens more often than you'd think in the high school clique scene.. your story reminds me of how they say, "people come and go," and that's just how life is sometimes... it's not always about being replaced, sometimes it's just about "proximity and convenience." kids gravitate towards those who are immediately around them, and it ain't always personal, ya know??? keep your chin up 🙂
sounds like you're making a big deal out of normal high school stuff... people drift apart, it's not always some deep personal thing;;; do you blame yourself too much for this??? maybe they found new things to connect over and that's okay;;; sometimes it's just easier to be friends with those who are around all the time... why expect them to stick around when circumstances change??? it's not necessarily about being replaceable, it could be about evolving connections... stop stressing about their choices and focus on your own path...
totally get what you're saying; high school friendships are often superficial and unreliable; i remember being that "extra" person once, too. felt like being the spare part nobody needed, really get that. it's not just you, it happens all the time. they forget you exist if you're not right there; it's like solidarity doesn't mean anything to them. you're better off without those types who can't respect the bond you had. focus on things that actually matter now, those who care will stay.
Man, I feel you! High school can be a total rollercoaster for friendships. It sucks feeling like the odd one out, especially when your friends start drifting away. I remember when my buddy group split up because of new classes, and suddenly it was like they all had inside jokes without me???? It's tough not to overthink it, but sometimes it's just about where people are at in that moment, ya know? It’s probs worth chatting with them if you ever want to clear the air – they might not even realize how you felt left out! Just remember: true friends will always find their way back. Focus on enjoying your games and making friends who share those interests! 😄
your experience exemplifies how high school friendships often resemble the "friendship paradox," where individuals perceive their connections to be less reciprocal than they are; i recall when my own circle seemed impenetrable until we were dispersed by class schedules and geography, making me question if our bonds were genuine or merely circumstantial; isn’t it peculiar how easily social dynamics shift in such a volatile environment?
feeling like the odd one out in your friend group can be really tough, and it's understandable to question everything when you're left on the outside looking in; but here's a little perspective: sometimes these experiences teach us more about ourselves than we realize. i remember feeling something similar back in high school, and it pushed me to explore new interests and meet people who matched my vibe better 😄 it's more than okay to feel what you’re going through because those emotions are valid! keep pursuing your passions like gaming, because they might just lead you to a community that appreciates you for who you are. hang in there; things have a way of working out!