She Strengthens

A Friendship Tainted by Financial Inequality

I still remember the day I met Sarah, my college orientation friend who became my closest confidante. We bonded over our quirky sense of humor and love for death metal music. Coming from a small town, I finally felt like I had found my “friend soulmate.” Our friendship was effortless, and we quickly formed a niche group of friends.

However, as we got to know each other better, I realized that Sarah came from a less privileged background than I did. My family’s household income was over $250,000, while Sarah was struggling to make ends meet with student loans. I felt guilty about my unearned privilege and tried to be discreet about my spending habits. I never insisted that she join me for expensive outings, and whenever possible, I would quietly pay her share.

Our friendship was built on personality and humor, not material possessions. We had plenty of fun drinking cheap wine and watching movies in her room. Money was never a concern for us… until it was.

The Uncomfortable Reality of Financial Disparity

When I invited Sarah to visit my hometown during spring break, I was excited to show her around. But as soon as we arrived at my house, the financial differences between us became glaringly apparent. Sarah made snarky comments about my bedroom, bathroom, and mother’s manicured hands. It was uncomfortable, but I brushed it off as a bad experience.

However, when we returned to school, Sarah’s attitude towards our financial differences had changed. She started taking advantage of my generosity, asking me to buy her drinks and pastries, and borrowing my things without returning them. I felt guilty about my privilege and didn’t want to lose my friend, so I kept quiet.

A Toxic Cycle of Guilt and Manipulation

Over the summer, Sarah worked as a server at her mom’s restaurant and made a decent amount of money. But when she called me panicking about needing $2,000 to cover her school expenses, I didn’t hesitate to help. I sent her the money, feeling horrible for her situation.

When we returned to school, our friendship seemed stronger than ever. But then, Sarah disappeared for 15 days without warning. When she returned, she was tan and happy, and eventually confessed that she had used my money to buy a ticket to visit her new Greek boyfriend in Europe.

The Final Straw

I was devastated by her lies and manipulation. It wasn’t just about the money; it was about the fundamental disrespect she had shown me. I realized that allowing her to take advantage of my guilt over my privilege wasn’t going to help anyone. I cut off the friendship, and it felt like finally healing a wound that I had ignored for too long.

A Valuable Lesson Learned

I still miss Sarah, but I know that our friendship was toxic. I’ve learned that sometimes, money and friends just don’t mix, no matter how much you think you can overcome it. It’s a hard lesson to learn, but it’s one that I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life.