She Blocked Me Everywhere After I Finally Said "No"

My friend Ashley got offended because I refused to lend her money. Again. And boy, did she get offended — blocked me on every social media platform, deleted my number, the whole nine yards. Just like that, she forgot all the times I'd bailed her out before, never seeing a single dollar back. And let me tell you, I'm not exactly printing money over here.

Ashley and I had been friends for about six, maybe seven years. We met back in college through mutual friends and just... stuck together. But lately, I'd started noticing our friendship was a one-way street. She only seemed to remember I existed when she needed something — usually cash.

Back in college, nobody really kept track of who had what. We'd all chip in for pizza or drinks, and if someone was broke that week, no big deal — they'd get it next time. That was just how our group worked. I don't want to talk badly about anyone, but honestly? I can't recall a single time Ashley ever chipped in.

But back then, nobody cared. We were young, living in the moment. Tomorrow's problems were for tomorrow. That was college life.

Then we all grew up, got jobs, and things got a little easier financially. Well, for most of us. Ashley always had some excuse — just started a new job, rent was due, paycheck was late. She wasn't the only one, so it didn't stand out at first.

Eventually, our friend group drifted apart. People got married, moved to different states, or just lost touch. But Ashley and I stayed connected. I'd gotten used to thinking of her as my close friend.

And we did have good times! We could talk about anything, share everything. But one thing about her drove me crazy — she constantly borrowed money and never paid it back.

It started small. She'd "forget her wallet" or be "totally broke until payday" and ask me to cover her coffee or lunch. She'd always promise to pay me back as soon as she got paid.

But then the subject would just... disappear. And I never pushed it. Asking a friend to pay you back for a latte or a glass of wine felt petty, right? We're friends. It's just a few bucks. Why make it awkward?

Then it escalated. She'd ask me to cover her share for group outings or birthday dinners. Sometimes she actually paid me back, but that was the exception, not the rule. Usually, we'd both just pretend it never happened — and I was too uncomfortable to bring it up.

So our friendship continued. I tried to ignore that Ashley almost never had money on her, and I was usually the one picking up the tab. She was always complaining about financial struggles, and I wanted to be supportive. Everyone goes through rough patches, right?

Except Ashley's rough patch apparently had no end. On top of me covering meals and drinks, she started asking to borrow actual cash. Twenty bucks here, fifty there, always with promises to pay me back on payday. Payday would come, and she'd conveniently forget. And I was still too embarrassed to remind her. What if she genuinely couldn't afford it? I didn't want to put my friend in an awkward position.

But here's the thing — I'm not exactly rolling in it myself. I'm a regular housewife with a household budget to manage. Because of Ashley, I'd started skipping things I wanted because I didn't have the money. But she's my friend... how could I say no?

Last week, I finally did.

She asked to borrow five hundred dollars. Five hundred. That's a serious chunk of our monthly budget. So I told her I didn't have it.

"Come on, you just got paid! Don't be so stingy!" she pushed.

And that word — stingy — just set something off in me.

"I would lend it to you if I thought you'd actually pay me back," I said. "But I honestly doubt you will."

"Excuse me? When have I ever borrowed money and not paid you back?" She looked genuinely shocked.

So I listed the last few times from just the past two months. She shook her head and called me petty for remembering "such small amounts." Small amounts. To her, maybe. Not to me.

"So you're really not going to help me out? Wow. I didn't realize you were this selfish," she huffed, got up, and walked out of the coffee shop.

She didn't pay for her latte and muffin, by the way. I guess she was too offended.

She blocked me everywhere. Deleted me from everything. No calls, no texts, nothing.

And here's the weird part — I just had a fight with my "best friend," and I feel... lighter. Relieved, even.

Maybe I should have done this years ago.