AIO Being Upset About Best Friends Actions
I've been friends with Chloe for several years. During this time, her and my partner and I grew close, close enough to consider each other "best friends". Chloe has trouble maintaining friendships and through the fallouts we've tried to be supportive while also expressing that she cuts people out too easily. We've experienced this ourselves when after an argument she blocked us both and we didn't hear a word for months. I was hurt as it didn't seem like the argument should've cost the friendship and also that it took so long for her to reach out to make amends. Eventually though, I forgave her and she said that she's trying to become a better person. She decided to move closer to us with a childhood friend which was great because we were a few hours away until that point. She kept talking about how we'd "always be together". Long story short, she ended up in a huge fight with her friend and they broke their lease and parted ways. With Chloe's background, history of trauma, being single and working from home she struggles with loneliness. So when the pressure to hangout all the time became too much, my partner and I attempted to set boundaries with her. I was getting burnt out on socializing multiple times during the week and weekends. She took this poorly and made her own retaliatory "boundaries" ie cancelling plans, suddenly unavailable etc. I receive a phone call where she states she's moving in two weeks. I got angry that she never mentioned it, she also named our boundaries around the time we spend as a reason she was leaving. She had other reasons, sure. Yet I was hurt that our efforts weren't seen. I reacted poorly and lashed out with angry words like "Because of you, our friendship is going to change." Safe to say the call ended up with me being shutdown and angry and her being defensive. The next day I texted to apologize for my response. She responded saying we were being selfish about her situation. We both agreed to take time. A week later we got on the phone, I told her that her abrupt move, response to our boundaries and lack of appreciation for the efforts we did make to see her was hurtful. She didn't know how to respond and began to deflect and say things like "I'm sorry you feel that way." So I left the call not feeling good that she had the awareness and maturity to accept responsibility for her actions. Instead she kept coming back to my negative response, which I had already recognized and apologized for. The next day we hung out with our mutual friends and she came along. She appeared tired and was irritable. When we tried to make conversation she was short and cold. She physically distanced herself by leaving the table to sit on the couch. When she left, she said goodbye as she was walking out, as if we were nothing to her. I initiated the apology and the phone call, I've expressed how I feel. I know our friendship won't continue in this manner and I have little hope for change. I have a feeling just like before she will come back in a few months when she reflects but that isn't fair. Am I overthinking this? Or should I let go for good?
Posted Jul 8, 2025, 4:47 PM UTC