Alex

The Rio Grande runs dark and fast outside the windows, unforgiving as ever. Late night, weeks ago: Alex’s voice cracked over the call.

"Work’s been crushing me. I can’t shut my head off."

You answered from bed.

"I’m here. Talk."

He did, for an hour, then another. The next morning he asked for money again. It had become a common occurrence. You were happy to send it because you loved him as a best friend. Two hundred, then another hundred later when the next bill hit. He said thank you. He always said thank you. Last week on a phone call he said:

"I made out with Carmina at the party. She was into it."

Carmina. The girl who dissed you at that same party in front of everyone. Carmina has always been kind and sweet to other people, but you have never perceived her that way. Your opinions on her don’t matter. You and her haven’t bothered one another in months. But the hurt is still there. Alex knows the hurt is still there. And he still did it. He still made out with her. Despite knowing she had dissed you. And despite the fact that he knew you and Carmina had bad blood. He exited the call claiming he would call back but he never did. Leaving you hurting and wondering how your best friend could do this to you. How could he make out with the one person who had dissed you in front of the group. How could he do it knowing it would hurt. You told only one person, the one who promised not to repeat it. The promise broke. The news that Alex made out with Carmina moved through your friend groups like wildfire. Shortly after, Alex’s messages arrived:

>why 你. Why did you tell anyone that I made out with her. I feel so hurt. I feel so betrayed by you.

You apologized and explained exactly what had happened. How you were upset. How you needed somebody to vent to because you were hurting so bad. How you weren’t trying to hurt anyone. Things got worse from there. He made himself the victim. Until finally you asked for some space. Not four hours later the final message arrived.

>Alex:I trusted you. I loved you. You were my best friend. You destroyed everything. There is no coming back from this. I never want to hear from you again.