My best friend recently became involved in a romantic relationship. I congratulated her, and joked about how we were never going to talk anymore because she had a boyfriend.

I wasn’t joking. We live about six hours from each other, so we don’t ever get to hang out. She has other friends where she is, and she already goes out once or twice a week with them, so on those nights, I’m lucky if she texts me. I usually get to talk to her via web on the nights before her days off from work, but when the boyfriend came into the picture, I knew.

Tonight is a night I usually talk with her, and she told me she wouldn’t be getting on because her boyfriend wanted her the evening before her day off. We haven’t spoken since Thursday, and probably won’t speak again until this upcoming Thursday.

It hurts my feelings. I moved to a place where I have nothing in common with anyone (an egalitarian in a conservative zealot’s paradise, among other things), and she knows I don’t have anyone else here since they all graduated and moved away. I feel abandoned and alone, because the only person I look forward to talking to is too busy to talk to me.

I know I should just be happy for her, but I feel sick and bitter and sad. I’ve made time for her, I’ve waited up because she wants to talk, and I’m cast aside like a used up drink container the minute she finds a suitable man. I don’t get “girls’ night out” like her local friends do.

I get divided attention Skype time. “Oh, me ‘n’ Sally are watching a movie; Melissa needs my support [every single day], so I’mma be a little [hours] late; Diane and Rachael have been bitching that I don’t hang out with them, so I have to go out tonight.”

I’ve tried to make friends. I’ve gone on dates. It’s not like I don’t make an effort. People here just don’t click with me.

She lied to me, and I knew she was lying. I just didn’t want to be the b**** who made it sound like she wasn’t allowed to have a boyfriend by expressing how neglected I’ve already been feeling.