Her Mistakes

Lisa and Emily had been friends for as long as either of them could remember. From childhood into their teenage years, they'd shared everything: academy days, birthdays, and long summer afternoons spent laughing in each other's homes with each other's siblings and families. Now, as young adults navigating college life in different cities, the physical distance had done little to loosen the bond between them. They still spoke regularly, and though life was shifting in new directions, Lisa continued to regard Emily not just as a friend, but as family, like the sister she never had.

When the holiday break arrived, a few months into their first year at college, both girls returned home. As always, one of Lisa's first stops was Emily's house. It had become a tradition to visit her during holidays, just like they did when they were younger. The moment they saw each other again, it felt like nothing had changed. They caught up easily, falling back into old routines, chatting, making short videos, and posting them to their social media accounts. For a brief moment, it was as though the months apart hadn't happened at all, as they still loved and enjoyed each other's company.

But a few days after they'd both returned to their respective campuses, Lisa received a text from Emily.

"Hey, something funny happened," it began. "My cousin saw our video on my page and kind of fell for you he said you're really beautiful. He asked for your number... and I gave it to him. Hope that's okay?"

Lisa hadn't had the chance to respond before another message came through, this time from an unfamiliar number.

"Hi Lisa, I'm Johnson, Emily's cousin. I saw your video and asked for your number. I hope it's all alright. I'd like to get to know you, if that's okay with you."

Lisa was immediately annoyed. She hadn't agreed to share her number, and she felt that Emily should have waited for her consent before passing along her contact information. She texted Emily to express her frustration.

Emily quickly apologized, insisting that her cousin was a genuinely good person and assuring Lisa that she wouldn't regret speaking with him, even if just to be polite.

The next morning, before Lisa had even gotten out of bed, her phone buzzed again.

"Wake up, sunshine! Wishing you a day filled with joy."

She couldn't help but smile. She replied simply: "Good morning."

Soon after, Johnson formally introduced himself. He wrote that his name was Johnson Williams, and that he had seen her video on Emily's social media. He said she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen and expressed a clear interest in building a relationship with her if she was open to it.

Lisa was taken aback by the directness of his message, but also a little flattered. His words were thoughtful, soft, and sincere, and there was something about his tone that made her feel comfortable and warm. She agreed to speak with him more, willing to see where it might lead.

Over the next few days, their conversations became consistent and traceable. Johnson checked in often, asking about her day, offering encouragement, and sending kind words in the morning and before bed. Lisa appreciated his attentiveness and found comfort in his consistency. He seemed to genuinely care.

But as time passed, Lisa began to feel differently. Though she liked his kindness, she realized that at that point in her life, she needed something more. She wasn't only looking for someone to offer compliments and affection, she needed a partner who could be dependable in a practical sense, someone capable of solving problems and contributing to stability. Johnson, for all his good intentions, wasn't that person.

She didn't want to hurt his feelings, so she didn't express this directly. Instead, she slowly began to pull away.

Still, Johnson continued with his messages. Each day, without fail, he sent her affirmations before she woke up, while she was in class, and at night before she slept. At first, she had found it endearing. Now, it felt like too much. The frequency and intensity of his compliments became overwhelming and eventually, irritating.

He confessed his feelings more openly, but Lisa no longer responded with the same energy. Sometimes she didn't reply at all. Messages from him would go unanswered for hours or forever. Despite the lack of response, Johnson kept trying until it became clear even to him that things weren't progressing.

Gradually, his messages came less often. The good mornings stopped. The check-ins faded. Eventually, the communication ended entirely, and the connection they had once tried to build dissolved without confrontation.

Time moved on. Lisa focused on school and kept her social circle small. One year, she and her close group of friends planned a short trip to a nearby town. Everything came together easily except the accommodation. They struggled to find a place close to their destination.

While thinking through options, Lisa remembered something Johnson had once mentioned in passing: he lived near that town. It had been a long time since they'd spoken, and reaching out felt awkward. But with few alternatives, she considered messaging him.

She didn't want to appear as though she was contacting him just because she needed something, so she started casually, sending a friendly check-in. What she found surprised her.

Johnson was no longer the same. He had become very successful, now a billionaire. She was genuinely happy for him, but something had changed. There was a noticeable difference in the way he communicated, distant, formal, and cold. When he replied, it was with the tone of someone speaking to a stranger. There was no warmth, no sign of the familiarity they once shared.

Lisa instantly decided against bringing up the trip or the accommodation issue. It no longer felt appropriate. If anything, the way he responded made it clear he was uninterested in reconnecting. She didn't message him again. In the end, the friends' trip was cancelled.