validation

She wondered if that person was intentionally mean to her.

"No," she thought, "you always take things too personally. It's all in your head."

She had respect for that person. That person had poise, grace, humor, maturity.

She felt she could learn a lot from that person, but still, she wondered why she felt so un-liked when it was so unprovoked. Attempts to reach out were ignored.

She found herself obsessed with what that person thought of her because she couldn't win...

until one day she just stopped. Friendship attempts were halted, perceived value discounted. No longer noticed, no longer cared.

Months later, someone commented.

"That person is so mean to you. It's so weird."

She was innervated with validation. She knew it.

And then she wondered why...