As I sat there, excitedly browsing through pictures of the cozy cabin nestled by the sparkling lake, I couldn’t wait for our girls’ weekend getaway to begin. It was my turn to plan the trip and I had found the perfect spot. The place looked straight out of a magazine, with a cozy cabin, a fireplace, stunning lake views, and even a hot tub. The total cost was $2,000, which seemed reasonable for our group of eight, with each person only having to pay $250.
I informed my friends that I had already booked the cabin and covered the upfront cost, but I asked them to pay me back before the trip to make things easier. Everyone seemed to agree, and I was glad that things were going smoothly.
But as the trip approached, things took an unexpected turn. One by one, my friends started coming up with excuses for not being able to pay me back. Mary needed to fix her car’s brakes, Brittany was struggling with student loans, and Melissa had to wait for her next paycheck. I reminded them multiple times, but they kept coming up with new excuses. It seemed like they were in this together, and it made me frustrated and angry.
By the week before the trip, I was out $2,000 and feeling used by the same people I called my friends. I couldn’t believe they had indirectly refused to pay me back. I trusted them, but they had let me down. I didn’t understand why they were doing this. Was it an attempt to see how I would react? Or had I done something wrong?
Feeling angry and determined, I decided to take matters into my own hands. I wasn’t one for confrontation, but this was ridiculous. The night before the trip, I sent a group text expressing fake excitement about seeing everyone at the cabin the next day. Little did they know, I had a devious plan brewing.
The next morning, I woke up early and headed out to the grocery store. With a giddy smile on my face, I filled my cart with fresh fruit, cheese, snacks, wine, and juices. I wanted to make sure my friends were well-fed and taken care of. I even prepped a bonfire for that night, complete with cozy blankets and marshmallows.
