Dear "Friend,"

I just wanted to start out by saying thank you. And I mean this from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for showing me how a true friend is supposed to act. Thank you for showing me what I should not look for in a friend. Thank you for showing me how I should treat someone. Thank you for the hurt that you put me through.

I should have seen this coming a long time ago. I should have known that this so-called "friendship" would never last. I should have seen the signs. The fake laughs, the little effort you put in to our relationship and the insincerity of everything you did. I kept telling myself that it was just a phase that you were going through, and that everything would just work itself out. I had to continuously tell myself that we were fine and that everything would be OK. Even though deep down I knew I was only lying to myself. When the feeling of doubt overwhelmed me, I forced myself to push that feeling back down. And that's where I went wrong.

That gut feeling that I had, I should have trusted it. I should have read between the lines of your very short text messages. I should have known that when you said "It's fine" you were really trying to say "I don't care." You meant so much to me, but it was clear as day that you wanted nothing to do with me. I was always your second choice when you were my first. I should have realized that you were just using me to get what you wanted.

It took me many tear-filled nights to realize that you weren't a friend. You never really were. But it took me caring too much and getting hurt in order to realize you will never be the definition of a friend.

I wish you could see me now. Oh, how things have changed! Changed for the better. I've gotten stronger than ever imagined. I don't trust everyone I come in contact with. I stand my ground and don't let anyone take advantage of me. And most importantly, I'm selective as to who I spend my time with. Because those people are the people who truly matter.

So once again, thank you.

Sincerely,

Someone you used to know