Amber had always been the one to take risks, to chase dreams. So when an unexpected opportunity to attend an exclusive music event in Los Angeles came her way, she immediately thought of Anthony. They’d been friends for years, and though they had always stayed in the “just friends” zone, she knew he was someone she could trust on an adventure.
With a text, she asked him: “Hey, LA in two weeks? Wanna come with me?”
Anthony replied almost instantly: “Sure, why not? Sounds fun.”
She felt a surge of excitement. This could be the trip that changed everything for her career. They booked their tickets, and within days, they were on a flight to the city of dreams.
The first day in LA was a whirlwind. Amber had planned everything meticulously, from the event to exploring the city’s iconic spots. But something felt off. Anthony seemed distracted. He kept checking his phone, and when they toured Venice Beach, he lagged behind, scrolling through social media.
That evening, the tension hit. They arrived at the music event, where Amber was hoping to meet key industry figures. She was buzzing with nerves, wearing her best outfit and rehearsing her introduction in her head. Anthony, on the other hand, was dressed casually, almost too casually. Amber was frustrated but pushed it aside. She had work to do.
She introduced herself to a few producers and tried to engage with everyone, but Anthony was nowhere to be found. She searched the crowd, growing more anxious by the minute, until she found him, laughing with a group of people, including a woman who seemed too eager to talk to him.
“Anthony, where have you been?” she asked, forcing a smile.
He looked up, startled. “Oh, hey, Amber. Just met some people. They were really cool.”
Amber’s heart sank. She had spent months preparing for this moment, and he was acting like it was just another night out.
As the night wore on, she felt increasingly isolated. Anthony continued to chat with strangers, oblivious to her growing frustration. By the end of the event, Amber was spent, drained not just from the networking, but from the realization that they were no longer on the same page.
On the way back to their hotel, Amber finally snapped. “You’ve been acting like this trip is a vacation, Anthony. I needed you here with me, but it feels like you couldn’t care less.”
Anthony’s face fell. “Amber, I didn’t mean to ignore you. I just didn’t know how much pressure you were under. I thought I was just here to support you, but I guess I didn’t understand what this meant to you.”
They walked in silence the rest of the way. Amber felt a sharp pang of disappointment. The trip, which was supposed to be a dream come true, had turned into a reminder that some friendships couldn’t survive the weight of ambition.
As they parted ways the next morning, Amber realized that asking the wrong person to come along on a journey could change everything. And for the first time, she wondered if she had made a mistake inviting Anthony to LA.
