I (29M) don’t really have a solid friend circle. The people I used to lean on have drifted or disappeared, and lately I’ve just been carrying a lot on my own. So when Rose—someone I truly considered a friend—suggested we catch up, I thought, “Finally. Someone who remembers. Someone who cares.”

She had been there for me when I lost my dad, just four months ago. She made time for me, checked in, gave me space to talk and feel. That support meant the world to me. And now, with my gran passing just three weeks ago, I honestly thought she was reaching out because she remembered how much I’ve been through.

I thought we’d talk. That I’d be able to let some of this emotional weight out. But that wasn’t what happened.

When I got to the place she suggested we meet, I realized quickly that she had brought someone else along—some guy. I had no idea he’d be there. And it immediately felt like her focus, her motive, had nothing to do with catching up with me. I felt sidelined. Like I was just there to kill time or fill space.

She was distracted. I couldn’t hear her properly, and it felt like I was intruding on their moment, not sharing one with a friend. At some point, I stopped trying to talk. It was clear there wasn’t space for me there.

Then, she asked how my gran was doing. My gran, who had died. Three weeks ago. I had texted her about it. She called me when it happened. I thought she got it. That she cared.

But now it just felt careless. Like she forgot. Or didn’t care enough to remember. Then she followed it up by asking if I was flying home—as if I hadn’t already explained why I couldn’t.

That hit hard.

I can’t help but ask myself—was she being intentionally insensitive? Did she just not care? Or was I just a convenience, someone to keep company while her attention was somewhere else?

I feel foolish for expecting her to be there for me like before. But worse than that, I feel alone. She was the only person I thought I still had in my corner. Now I’m not sure I’ve got anyone.