They trampled and whipped my dignity, and my hurt poured out as silent tears.
I skipped the dinner cruise that night.
I texted Norman to let him know, but he didn't even bother to reply.
Whenever I message him, it's like I'm blowing up his phone.
"Norman, I'm heading out. Don't forget your keys."
"Norman, there's a new steakhouse. Wanna check it out?"
"Norman, I miss you! What are you up to?"
But he only replies when he feels like it.
My psych major bestie Lina says if someone's important enough, they'll drop everything to text you back, even if they're in the shower.
I already knew I wasn't a priority. I just didn't realize I wasn't even an afterthought. I was being pathetic.
I received a call from Norman, who said he had something really important to discuss with me.
I didn't want to meet him, so I made up an excuse that I was feeling unwell.
However, Norman's tone was quite forceful.
"Come when I say to come, and don't make me lose my temper!" he threatened.
I decided to give him another chance, so I went to the restaurant he had chosen.
As soon as I walked in, I was taken aback by what I saw.
In the private room, there was a circle of people, and almost all my friends were there.
When I entered, the lively atmosphere suddenly fell silent, and the room was eerily quiet.
Norman sat in the center, and beside him was a young girl who looked at me with a slightly challenging gaze.
A few close friends, who usually had a good time with me, looked at me with worried expressions.
The room was packed with people, but there wasn't a seat for me.
I straightforwardly asked Norman, "What's going on here?"
Norman, however, turned the question back on me. "Why didn't you show up for the cruise dinner that day?"
I replied, "I was feeling unwell; I sent you a message about it."
Seemingly unhappy with my answer, Norman shot me a glare and then said, "Let me introduce you to someone."
He turned to the young girl beside him and said, "This is Bella, a girl I've recently taken a special liking to."
"You can see that Bella is young and beautiful, and she's also sensible and easygoing. I don't want her to be mistreated; you understand what I mean?"
"Young and beautiful, sensible and easygoing."
Every word felt like a stab to my heart.
I nodded and replied, "I get it. You all carry on; I'll step out."
My reaction stunned everyone in the room.