why is my friend ignoring me

I tapped through them, not really listening, just checking that he was still there. Still posting. Still ignoring every single call and text I’d sent.

I used to call every day. The first week, I didn’t think much of it—sometimes I need space too, a few days away from everyone. We had been talking or gaming every day for a year. Now, nothing.

A message, finally.

“Sorry I haven’t been around. Been going through a tough time.”

I told him I understood. It was true, mostly.

A few hours later, he wrote back:

“I’m alright now though.”

I didn’t believe it, but maybe it meant he was ready to talk again. I waited.

This wasn’t the first time. Five years ago, he just stopped answering one day. No warning, no fight. I called, texted, waited. Four years of silence.

We picked up like nothing happened. I told him, straight up, I didn’t want to get close again just to have him disappear. He promised, “I’ll never do that again. I’m really sorry. I just got caught up in life.” I wanted to trust him. I did.

Now, here I am again, checking Snapchat for signs of life. The calls went from every day to once a week. I still haven’t heard his voice in months.

There was no fight. No falling out. Just a message about being in a rough place, then silence. I keep telling myself to be patient, to give him space.

Sometimes I wonder if I’m making too much of it. Maybe he really is overwhelmed. Maybe he just doesn’t want to talk to me. I don’t know. I’m stuck between wanting to reach out and wanting to let go.

It’s been months now. I still try calling, once a week, just in case. The rest is just waiting, wondering if he’ll ever answer again.