My girlfriend admitted she cheated. «I needed a real man,» She smirked. My friends took her side. I just smiled, took my keys—and left. This morning, my phone blew up with 32 missed calls…

I see that now. Then Ben chimed in. Ben.

Yo man, I was wrong, real talk. We all were. Ben.

She told us stuff. Said you weren’t treating her right. I didn’t know the truth.

Right. They never do until they’re not invited anymore. Then Maya Maya.

I was a coward. You were always the real one. We picked sides and now she’s crying on my couch.

Maya. She says you won’t respond. Are you okay? I was fine.

She wasn’t. And the irony? They spent months treating my silence like weakness. But now? It was driving them insane.

The last message from Emma. It came at midnight. Emma.

I thought I wanted someone exciting. What I got was someone fake. Caleb left.

He cheated. He’s broke. I’m broke.

I miss you. God, I miss you. Emma.

You didn’t deserve what I did. I see that now. You were the best thing in my life.

Emma. Please just respond. Please.

I sat with that one for a while, watched the typing bubble come and go. Then I locked my phone, set it face down, and went to sleep. Because by the time they realize what you were worth, you’re too busy becoming the version of yourself they never deserve to meet.

I woke up the next morning to another wall of texts. You probably hate me. I understand if never want to see me again…