By ProperIce674 • Score: 1 • April 7, 2025 10:47 AM
(I marked this NSFW as this post contains talk about bullying and medical issues. All names have been changed to avoid this crossing over into my own life and theirs.)
I have a friend. Let's call them B. B and I grew up together. When we were younger, they definetly didn't have any medical issues. They were a Surfer, we went to a religious school together, and stuck through thick and thin together. However, I moved to a completely different part of the country in year 6 (about 10 years old), and they stayed there.
For about 4 years, I had a hard time socially. Bring picked in on in one school, moving to a religious school again, and then being bullied 1st year of high-school, and then Secondly by boys in my 3rd year. Anyways, during this time, B, moved to a town a few hours away from me, and then into my town. It was a dream come true, and we've been in really good touch ever since.
However, trouble begin to arise last year. B went to a religious all girls high-school and was picked on immensely. It got so bad she ended up going only 4 days out of 10 weeks. I was at the local public school, and my mom suggested to their mom about going to my school. So, they toured, and everything went well. They enrolled, and started the next year (currently this year).
When B came to our school this year, my friend group welcomed her with open arms. We were all so excited for her to come! I'd even invited them to s few hangouts over the summer so they'd feel comfortable. But slowly, the talks in our friend group involving them were uncomfortable. B started bringing up medical issues, and things such as their double jointed body. Sure, it wasn't great talk, but I knew they were trying their hardest to fit in and so I let it slide. However, it got worse. B started to make jokes around my childhood decisions. It's a very clear thing with my friends that I have moderate autism and mild ADHD. The issue here was that B brought up things such as meltdowns, me throwing a chair at a teacher, stuff I don't do anymore as I've grown to control my emotions.
I talked to B about this after seeing a school counselor. During this time, we were entering a drama competition and B did not audition, and somehow got a lead role I desperately wanted. I sucked it up, and didn't mention it when I brought up how they had been talking. I was really positive, starting with the good stuff and reassuring them that we were happy with them in the friendgroup, just that I didn't like the jokes about my childhood issues. They apologized, and mentioned they wouldn't do it again.
But the talk about their medical issues got worse. B reads late into the night, and complains about insomnia. They complain of other symptoms, yet they refuse to drink water, or barely eat vegetables. They have also sprouted off about having ADHD, but none of this has EVER BEEN DIAGNOISED.
They don't share. They rarely care about my feelings or what I would like. I was joking around with a mutual friend about our school bell, and they hit me in the head twice. I have really bad skin, and when I'd been knocked in the head before, I had a huge lump there for ages and it was embarrassing. I raised my hand to block the second blow, and they got shitty at me, telling me I was being 'over the top' and to 'calm down'. I told them in a snippy voice that they were over the top and moved to separate space as we had study hall. When I came back, after completing some practice exam questions and being invited to play cards, I noticed B went home. My friends told me they had some medical issues playing up.
They lied. They make up elaborate stories of 'coming into money', when it's always been clear that they have had money. They're a single child, with two parents who can't say no. They are paying 12k to go on a school trip with UNI applications right around the corner, and they have missed so many classes even this year they are struggling to meet deadlines, or even pass at that.
I hate it. I feel so shit for thinking this way. I don't want to, and I really want a friendship with them, but it's frustrating. I have a new partner and their friend group makes me feel happier to be there. I want to help B, and be there for them, but each conversation is daunting and makes me feel guilty for their issues. Is that wrong?
AITA? I'm looking for genuine advice here.
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