Secret Animosity

There’s something about my so-called “frenny” in our circle of friends that’s been bothering me for the longest time. I’ve tried to brush it off, ignore the signs, and give her the benefit of the doubt, but I can’t unsee what’s so painfully obvious anymore: there’s some secret animosity brewing beneath her “friendly” façade. Let’s start with the dynamics. In our group, she’s the alpha—dominant, articulate, and always wanting to stand out. I can’t blame her; both her parents are master teachers, and she’s probably under a lot of pressure to live up to their expectations. Then there’s me, the so-called “matalino” one, and our other friend who’s very maka-masa and grounded. I thought we balanced each other out, but I’ve realized that balance doesn’t mean harmony. It’s the little things that gave her away—those subtle changes in her tone or the way her expression would falter for a second every time I got even a point higher than her in school. It’s as if my small wins somehow diminish her. I’m not even the type to gloat, but I can feel her disappointment or resentment whenever I excel. And it’s not just her. I’ve got two other classmates who also act this way, like my existence is a threat to their academic standing. It’s exhausting. Then there’s the way she acts when it comes to guys. If there’s a guy who seems connected to me, or even just talks to both of us, she has this weird habit of telling me about their interactions—like she’s trying to one-up me or prove that she’s more desirable. Case in point: my last situationship. Apparently, he had a crush on her, and of course, she had to tell me. But the way she said it felt off, like it wasn’t just information but a lowkey flex. I’ve tried to rationalize it, telling myself she’s just being a “concerned friend,” but the vibe? It’s giving “I’m better than you” energy. Speaking of vibes, I know she’s jealous of my boyfriend. He’s not conventionally handsome, sure, but ever since we got together, he’s been glowing in my eyes. He treats me like a princess, drives me around, buys me things without me even asking, and supports me in ways I never imagined. It’s the dream, honestly. And I can see how that’s hard for her to digest. Maybe because she’s stuck in this toxic pattern with her ex—someone she cheated on multiple times, only to be told that he still loved her so much that he thought her new relationship was a joke. Talk about messy. Oh, and let’s not forget the time we had a falling out. While I was keeping things between us, she was out there making chika about me to our classmates. That hurt. It made me question the sincerity of our friendship. How can someone smile at you one moment and then talk behind your back the next? It’s a betrayal I can’t easily forgive, even if I’m trying to stay civil. I’ve decided not to confront her. What’s the point? I’m not here to fix her insecurities or convince her to be a better friend. I just want to graduate, move on, and finally cut ties. Sometimes, you realize that not all friendships are meant to last. And honestly? That’s okay. I deserve peace, and I deserve friends who genuinely root for me, not secretly compete with me. One day, when I’m looking back on this chapter of my life, I’ll remember her—not with anger, but with gratitude for teaching me how to spot fake friendships and value the real ones even more. Until then, I’ll keep my distance, keep my head high, and let her deal with her issues on her own.