To the toxic friend I kept in high school,

So it's summer now, we're all back from college and this is a great time to catch up with old friends. This is also a unique time to address the relationships that I kept in high school solely to avoid issues or drama. I'm a people-pleaser and I'm a good friend, quite frankly you were lucky to have me there as long as you did. You took advantage of my kindness and optimism. But I'm over it, and here's why:

One major issue is that you never kept my secrets. You have a big mouth and I grew tired of excusing you over and over again because I didn't want you angry. You took advantage of things I confided in you with. For example, if I told you I had feelings for someone, I didn't love when you then tried to hang out with them and "prove" to me that you can get a guy too. Also, if your self-esteem relies on being friends with everyone's boyfriend, maybe you should find yourself a healthier relationship that doesn't rely on your "best" friend's boyfriends and ex-boyfriends.

The fact that I never quite felt my best around you is another shocker that I stuck around so long. Another being that although I gave you unconditional love, support, and trust, yet you never repaid any of it. Being a second, third, or fourth string friend was not my forte.

There's a reason you never truly had a close girlfriend, and I thought that we were similar because of this but while mine is because I had close guy friends, your reason was because you can't keep secrets, you take advantage of your friends, and only think of yourself.

All too often we settle for unhealthy relationships and put up with people who bring out the lesser version of us. Going away to college, I discovered that nothing was wrong with me and that I had the power to choose who is good for me and who isn't. A real friend will be there for you and won't move you to second place when she gets a better offer. It's funny because I always used to make excuses for people, but I deserve better than that.

I miss you sometimes but then I remember a number of times you betrayed me and took advantage of our friendship. I have better friends and people in my life now, which gives me the courage to shut you out.

I hope one day you'll realize how toxic of a person you are. I hope sooner than later because life will only get harder from here. I also want to thank you for teaching me what a friend isn't. Because of you, I won't ever have a friend that makes me feel so small and hard to love.

The morale of this has been that many of us never feel strong enough to pass up toxic relationships. I'm much better off without you and thank you for hurting me so much that it became the very last straw. In all honesty, you probably won't think this article is about you, but trust me, the sooner you realize, the sooner you can become a better person.