I would have accepted a no, a maybe next time, even a tired emoji. What hurt was the absence of basic courtesy. Being left on read in a shared space feels like being erased mid-sentence.

This moment clarified something I’ve been circling for a while. I’ve been meeting people with thoughtfulness while quietly accepting avoidance in return. I’ve been generous with understanding where clarity should have existed.

I don’t want to carry that pattern forward.

Hear, hear. I refuse to stay on standby for people who choose silence over honesty.