2 What's worse than a break-up?

I have four friends in my so-called squad. We always hang out and spend time together. They are my support system during the hard times of cramming my projects. They also push me to read a single page of our book when I don't even want to open it.

I love them so dearly, like how I would love my siblings. And I was hoping they felt the same way as I do.

One of my friends is Casper. He is that one wealthy GBF (gay best friend) who always got your back. From relationship and fashion advice, you can call him. His house is where we would spend most of our time. I can even get into his home without knocking.

Kataniya, on the other hand, is a tomboy. If you need someone to play video or computer games with, she's your girl. She's also humorous. You can listen to her all day and enjoy the fun.

We also have Megan. She's that one girl who always gets the guy she likes. Well, she's pretty! The girl also has a good figure that every boy loves. Quirky and talented, most of my guy friends can't resist her.

Aurora? She always tries to make herself look good. It could be because she got bullied for her looks before. She easily cries and has the sharpest laugh among all of us.

You also have me. As introverted as I am, I do enjoy group activities, and I actively participate in it. I mean, what would college be without a little extracurricular activity?

A senior in my department went to approach me one day and asked me if I could be part of the Events and Management Committee. It sounded fun, so I decided to join.

And like any other Hollywood teen movie you can find, this did not do me well. I had lesser time to be with my friends, and I was always busy hanging out with the seniors. This turned everything around.

Megan and Aurora stopped talking to me, and I could feel the distance between us. We no longer hang out after classes nor have our lunches together.

I know you might be saying, you're in college and people come and go. That's true, but I love my friends. As much as I want them to have their personal space, it sucks when they would suddenly ignore you or make excuses and not be with you.

That's why I decided that I should at least makeup with them and ask them out. That's the best decision. Right?

I was sitting on my favorite spot on the second floor of the coffee shop near my apartment. It was already half past 3, and I was still trying to drain my iced coffee. There were not a lot of people inside because it's a Friday afternoon, and most are still at work.

I tried constructing my message well before sending it.

"Hi, I missed you a lot. Can we hang out tonight?"

Hmmm. It doesn't sound right.

"Meg and Aurora, I miss you both. Can we hang out tonight?"

I clicked the delete button again. Why am I even racking my brain over a text message? These are my friends, and I should be able to text them without hesitation. I just typed whatever words I can think of and asked them out for dinner.

An hour has passed, and I still did not get any replies from them. Maybe they were both busy, I thought to myself. I was about to leave the cafe when my phone buzzed twice.

Hmmm. That's weird. I received two messages, both at the same time.

I opened Megan's message first.

"I'm sorry I can't go. My mom wants me to go home tonight. Maybe next time, okay? Miss you too."

Well, I guess they want to spend time with their family since we all lived far from home except for Casper, who's house is just 30 minutes away from the university.

I tapped to open Aurora's message.

"Babe, I still need to catch for an early flight back home. Sorry. Maybe next time."

That's understandable. Among all of us, Aurora lives the farthest.

I took a deep breath and gathered all my things so I can leave. I felt sad and uneasy despite the messages I received from them. Maybe I should go home and take this chance to rest as well.

When I got home, I took a quick shower and did my hair. Man, I tell you! My hair is a piece of work sometimes. It's thick, and it has a life on its own. I have to make sure I dry them with a blow-dry before mother nature takes over. Or else I would look like a freaking porcupine with my hair pointing in different directions.

While letting my blower heat up, I grabbed my phone and scrolled on Twitter. Nothing is exciting besides the usual gossips you can find in it.

After liking one tweet, I found another that caught my attention. A picture with a caption - "Bitches be gone. Good vibes come on!"

Well, I'm not bothered by the caption at all, but the photo made my heart sank. I could feel a lump on my throat, and tears started to well on my eyes. There's an annoying buzzing sound in my ear, and I can't seem to hear anything.

Before I knew it, I was sobbing hard on the floor with my trembling hands covering my mouth to stop any sound from coming out.

I held it in me most of the time. I know I tried to convince myself or others around me that I'm not in any slightest chance, bothered by it. I endured all the humiliation and the verbal abuse thrown at me because they were there. They supported me through some nights where I had to cry from the pain.

I held it in.

Without thinking, I unplugged my blow-drier and tied my hair in a bun. I know it's still dripping wet, but I don't care anymore. I'm still wearing my bunny pajamas, and I grabbed my cap to cover my now swollen and snotty face. I need to get out of here before I do something stupid.

I didn't even bother saying hi to the guards of my apartment complex. I went straight to the door and hailed a cab. Once I got in, I told the driver the address and I never even bothered to peek at him.

I dialed Casper's number, and just when he answered, I started crying like a stupid girl who got drunk because her boyfriend dumped her. The cab driver kept checking on me on the rearview mirror, but I don't care.

Do you know what's worse than a break-up? Betrayal from your friends.