Let’s cut through the polite excuses and call it what it is — Janet didn’t leave Kristen’s engagement party early out of “respect” or because she was “hungry” or “felt awkward.” She left because she’s miserable, plain and simple.
When someone you once called a friend is celebrating a major life milestone — like getting engaged — and your first instinct is to bail instead of beam, that says everything. No, it wasn’t about giving Kristen her “space,” and it definitely wasn’t about grazing over a lackluster appetizer spread. Janet didn’t want to be there because she couldn’t bring herself to be happy for Kristen.
The truth? Misery doesn’t love company when the company is glowing with joy. And Kristen, radiant in the moment, was everything Janet didn’t want to face. Whether it’s jealousy, unresolved tension, or a heart still stuck in the past, her early exit wasn’t subtle—it was a statement. One that says: “I’m not ready to clap for you, even when you deserve it.”
Friendships evolve, and sometimes they fracture when one person grows while the other stays stuck. Kristen is stepping into a new chapter. Janet? She’s still flipping through the old ones, bitter that the plot moved on without her.
So let’s stop pretending. This wasn’t about etiquette — it was about emotion. And sadly, Janet couldn’t fake a smile long enough to support someone she once called family.
