WHEN FRIENDSHIP FADES

WHEN FRIENDSHIP FADES EP 8

*Episode 8: Old Memories, New Realities*

The party was in full swing. Music boomed through the speakers, students laughed, took selfies, and danced like there was no tomorrow. Abike stood near the refreshment table, sipping her drink, watching everyone enjoy the moment she worked so hard to create. She felt proud — not just of the event, but of herself.

Mufidat nudged her. “You’ve been zoning out. What are you thinking about?”

Abike chuckled. “Nothing really. Just… how far I’ve come.”

They both smiled.

Suddenly, a slow song came on. Some students paired up, swaying gently. That’s when Abike saw Glory — sitting quietly on a bench at the far end of the hall, watching everyone else but not joining in.

For a moment, their eyes met again.

And for the first time, Abike didn’t feel anger or even pain. Just a soft ache. A memory.

She walked toward Glory with calm steps.

“Are you okay?” she asked.

Glory nodded. “Yeah. Just… remembering. We used to talk about this day.”

“We did,” Abike said, sitting beside her. “You said we’d be the last to leave the dance floor.”

They both laughed a little.

“I miss what we had,” Glory admitted, not looking at her.“I miss the good times,” Abike replied. “But I don’t miss the way I felt when I had to question if I mattered to you.”

Silence settled.

Glory whispered, “Do you hate me?”

Abike shook her head. “No. I just stopped trying to be someone you’d choose first.”

Glory’s eyes watered, but she wiped them quickly. “I guess I didn’t realize how much I was losing until it was too late.”

“You lost someone who truly cared,” Abike said softly. “But I gained peace. And that’s priceless.”

Just then, Mufidat called Abike from across the hall. “Come take pictures!”

Abike stood. “Take care of yourself, Glory.”

Glory nodded. “You too, Abike.”

As Abike walked away, she didn’t look back.

She was no longer the girl begging to be understood.

She was the girl who chose herself — and never looked back.

To be continued...