Relationships can be great, but more often than not, they end. Although a lot of people are able to stay friends with their ex, not everyone is so lucky. If you're in this situation, you might have experienced the dreaded text. Of course, not all ex's are out to hurt you, but there are times when your ex is so mean and manipulative that you just know their sudden outreach is backed by ill intentions. It comes out of nowhere and slaps you in the face. You know they're trying to play with your feelings, but you don't know what to do.

If you're one of the lucky ones who has never been in this situation, I'll let the queen of the internet, Tyler Oakley, explain it for you.

It all starts when you pick up your phone to check snapchat, and there it is. Sitting. Waiting.

After months of not speaking, your ex texts you out of the blue. They say that "they've been thinking about you," and you're just like,

You immediately go and show the message to your best friend, who is not pleased to see that your ex is bothering you again.

For a second, you start to think back on the good times you had with your ex, but then your brain cuts you off and reminds you how terribly they treated you.

You decide the best plan of action is to send a message that's nice but incredibly passive aggressive, hoping they'll get the hint to leave you alone.

You show your response to your bestie, who does not support your gentle approach to the situation.

Your ex texts back and says they hope you've been well.

Seeing that they didn't get the message, you turn up the sass a notch.

But it doesn't work, and they respond by telling you that they miss you. Your best friend decides they can't handle it anymore.

So, he/she takes your phone and sends a very harsh and straightforward message, pretending to be you.

You can't believe they actually sent that, but you're low-key glad they did, because your ex deserves it.

You see that your ex reads the text and starts to respond, and you're just sitting there feeling like a badass, waiting to see what they're gonna say.

All of a sudden, the little typing bubbles disappear, and they don't respond. You did it!

Your best friend is sure to remind you that they got your ex to back off, and you'd be lost without them.

But even though you know that's true, you still feel proud of yourself for refusing to give in to your ex's games.

So, you and your bestie do a little victory dance.

Maybe you decide to celebrate with a drink or two...

...or three or four...

Maybe you even post a flirty picture of you and a friend on instagram just to make your ex wonder if you're seeing someone new.

Regardless of what you do, though, know that you don't need that negativity in your life. It's hard to resist falling into the familiarity of an ex, but you deserve better than someone who is going to play with your emotions. So brush off your shoulders and go be the fabulous superstar that you are!