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 🙂