So I had a friend \u2014 let\u2019s call her \u201cM.\u201d She was fun, outgoing, and always the center of attention at any gathering. But she had one habit that started to become a real problem: she never paid for anything.<\/p>\n
At first, I didn\u2019t think much of it. Friends help each other out sometimes, right? But over time, it turned into a pattern.<\/p>\n
Dinner? \u201cOops, I forgot my wallet.\u201d
\nCoffee? \u201cCan you get this one? I\u2019ll pay you back later.\u201d (She never did.)<\/p>\n
One day, I actually added it all up \u2014 and she already owed me more than $500 from \u201csmall\u201d expenses.<\/p>\n
The final straw came during a group dinner. She ordered freely \u2014 lobster, dessert, drinks \u2014 enjoying herself without a care. When the bill arrived, she casually slid it toward me like always and said, \u201cYou\u2019ve got this, right? You always do.\u201d<\/p>\n
The table went completely quiet.<\/p>\n
This time, I didn\u2019t laugh it off. I looked at her and said calmly, \u201cNo, actually. You still owe me from the last several times, so this one\u2019s on you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her face immediately changed. She turned red, mumbled something about going to the ATM, grabbed her things, and walked out.<\/p>\n
She never came back.<\/p>\n
We haven\u2019t really spoken since, but honestly, I don\u2019t regret it. Because real friendship isn\u2019t about constantly covering for someone who never gives anything back.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"