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Late at night, Alexa was sitting in her room, staring at the ceiling and replaying the events of the day in her mind. She pulled out her phone to message her friend Jade, hoping to get her mind off things.
“Hey, Jade. Are you up?” she typed in the message and hit send.
To her surprise, Jade immediately responded with a voice message. “Hey girl! I’m still up.
What’s on your mind?” she said.
Alexa heaved a sigh of relief, glad to hear a familiar voice. They spent the next few minutes catching up with each other and talking about their day. Alexa laughed at Jade’s funny anecdotes, but she couldn’t shake off the feeling of dread that enveloped her.
“I don’t know, Jade. I just feel like I’ve gotten myself into something I can’t handle,” Alexa confessed.
Jade listened patiently as Alexa told her about the three men who were now madly in love with her and counting on her to make a decision. She asked Alexa why she chose to stay, despite the risks.
Alexa chuckled nervously. “I know it sounds crazy, but I can’t help it. I feel like I owe it to them, you know? They’ve been so good to me,” she said.
Jade’s voice turned serious. “Alexa, you’re not obligated to stay in any situation that makes you feel uncomfortable or unsafe. Don’t let anyone make you feel like you owe them. Especially not after all that Cody put you through,” she said.
Alexa knew Jade was right. She had known all along that Cody would be trouble, yet she had still gotten involved with him. She had expected herself to turn bad as well.
“I’m sorry, but I just don’t see why you’re so upset,” Alexa said, dismissing Jade’s heartbreak.
“I’m not upset about Cody in the manner you are assuming. I mean, sure, it’s a bummer that it’s over, but… that’s not what’s important,” Jade began.
“Then what is?” asked Alexa, her curiosity piqued.
“It’s about how I value myself, you know? I don’t want to base my life on other people’s feelings. It’s about how I see myself with them in the future,” Jade explained.
Alexa snickered. “That sounds a bit sappy for you, Jade.”Content © provided by NôvelDrama.Org.
Jade rolled her eyes, but continued on. “No, really. It’s important. And it’s not just about Cody. It’s about all the guys out there who think they can treat women like dispensable objects. And if you can’t value your worth now, then it’ll be a wonder if it’s ever worth anything to the other men you’re involved with,” Jade declared.
Alexa shrugged. “I guess I see your point,” she said. “But I’m not looking for anything serious right now. I just want to have fun.”
Jade sighed. “I get that, and there’s nothing wrong with that. But if you keep treating yourself like you’re disposable, how can you expect anyone else to treat you differently? You deserve to be with someone who sees your worth and treats you like a queen.”
Alexa nodded thoughtfully. “Maybe you’re right. Maybe it’s time I start seeing myself differently.”
The two friends spent the rest of the night chatting about their hopes and dreams for the future, with Jade encouraging Alexa to see herself in a new light. Though it was a difficult conversation to have, it left both of them feeling empowered and ready to take on whatever came their way.