So I'm at the office, okay? I'm 23M, living my lil' 9 to 5 life in this mid-office where it all reeks of kinda like printer ink and despair. It's not the worst job in the world, not the best, just vibes. So anyway, so one of the girls, Kelly, I guess, texts me on some random Tuesday like, "Hey, can you work my Friday shift? Something came up."

But then here's the thing—I technically didn't have anything to do that day. I could've done it. But spiritually, mentally, existentially? No, I wasn't there. Like, I was already outta my mind for the day. I was counting down 'til that Friday like it was a national holiday because I desperately needed a day. You ever get your soul peeling away from the bone like burnt chicken? Yeah, that's what I was.

So I told her no. Firm but respectful, with a please and thank you. She got all upset. Insulted my character, claiming we're a team, and even went as far as going to our manager and telling him that I "wasn't being supportive." Keep in mind, this same Kelly will ignore the group text whenever SOME OTHER PERSON needs an extra shift taken.

Now my co-workers are looking at me like that—like I kicked a puppy or something. One of them even threw the passive-aggressive "must be nice to have no responsibilities" my way. Like, ma'am… I've got bills, trauma, AND a caffeine addiction. Let me get a breath.

So now I'm just sitting here like—AITAH for not lending a hand when I could've? Or is it acceptable to defend my peace even when the calendar is screaming at me that I'm free?

Let me know. I’m open to being the villain but I’m not gonna lie, I don’t feel like one.