a member

Okay, the red flag that I have ignored for too long was when my friends were overly manipulative over me. As in, they'd guilt trip me to buy them stuff, my girl best friend that had a crush on me, tried to turn everyone against me and guilt trip me so I'd date her. My other friend manipulated me into doing his homework, letting him cheat off of me, use me as a scapegoat, etc. The only reason why I realized their behavior was a redflag was when the moment I stepped onto high school where I was exposed to a healthy environment. The students there showed me understanding and respected my boundaries. It was such a shock to me. I never knew a friendship could be so healthy. I opened up, I started to not be afraid of saying what I like to watch, read, play, do, etc. It changed me, maybe even healed a part of me. I would have NEVER, I mean NEVER realized my past friends were toxic if my new friends didnt show me what a real friendship is like. A friendship is supposed to be comfortable, safe, healthy, not toxic, unreliable and makes you genuinely feel ass.