Hi!

A close friend of mine, whom I've known for a few years, recently applied for a position at their job. They have been filling in as interim for a couple months now and the position finally opened to applicants. I used to work at this place on the same team. This position has been one I've been trying to get into for years. So, when I saw it was posted I wanted to apply.

I asked my friend if they were okay if I applied. They said yes. So, I applied. Now they are saying they don't like that I applied and don't want it ruining our friendship. I know they've been working hard lately for it and deserve it, but I also feel like I deserve a chance too as I've been working at this for many years. I support them while also rooting for myself. I don't see this as a "Me against them" scenario. I want us both to succeed and hope one of us gets it. So, their recent message was a surprise. Not only because they rescinded their previous approval, but because they kinda weaponized our friendship (e.g If I continue to seek this position, they'll view it as an afront to our friendship). I also received a message shortly afterward from a mutual friend of ours basically telling me I should look elsewhere. Not great getting both of these messages from close friends.

I thought about it for sometime and then I replied to both of them with thoughtful responses but neither of them have replied back. This makes me feel like now I'll lose more than just the one friendship. This whole thing has been making me reevaluate these friendships as well seeing as they aren't as strong as I thought.

So, reddit, was I in the wrong to apply for this position? In my mind, friends support each other, but maybe I'm wrong here? Are my friendships not what I thought they were?