Mya glanced at her phone, a memory from three years ago popped up on her screen. It was a photo of her and Alex, smiling under the neon lights of Las Vegas. Alex had been more than just a friend; they had dated on and off since 2005. He had been there for Mya during one of the hardest periods of her life, supporting her through her father's illness. His presence had been a source of comfort and stability. But now, everything had changed.
Jay had ghosted her again, just as she had feared he would. This time, however, Mya was done waiting for him to get his act together. She told herself, "Fuck him," and decided to move on with her life. The sting of Jay's disappearance was softened by her determination to find happiness elsewhere. She felt guilty about how she had flaked on Mike, so she had been avoiding him. Instead, she rekindled a relationship with an old flame, Alex, hoping for a fresh start.
As always, things started off great, but as of lately, Mya had started to notice Alex's increasingly erratic and disrespectful behavior. He would cancel plans last minute, disappear for days, and then reappear with flimsy excuses. She had given him numerous chances, hoping he would return to the supportive partner she once knew. But his disregard for her feelings had finally pushed her to her limit. Mya wasn’t stupid, she knew in her heart that there was someone else but due to their history, which she would later realize didn’t mean anything, she “stayed with him”
However, after another instance of Alex bailing on their plans with a weak excuse, Mya decided enough was enough. She blocked him, determined to protect her peace and self-worth. That night, she sat down with her journal and poured out her feelings.
---
"I’ve come to a realization today. I deserve more than being someone’s afterthought. I am not a option or a convenient backup plan. I am a person with feelings and self-respect.
It's incredible how some people think they can string you along, giving you just enough attention to keep you around without truly valuing you. They believe a few sweet words and empty promises can make up for their lack of genuine care.
Well, not anymore. I refuse to settle for less than I deserve. I refuse to be treated as anything less than a priority.
Blocking Alex was difficult because of our history, but it was necessary. I need to make space for people who genuinely care about me, who see my worth and treat me with the respect I deserve."
---
This moment marked a turning point for Mya. She realized that her self-worth was not dependent on anyone else's validation. She deserved better, and it was time to raise her standards.
The real drama unfolded when Mya attended a high-profile charity event a week later. As she mingled with the crowd, she noticed Alex across the room, laughing with a group of people. He hadn't mentioned he would be there, so feeling a mix of anger and curiosity, Mya decided to confront him.
---
"Alex, we need to talk," she said, pulling him aside.
"Mya, I didn't expect to see you here," Alex stammered, clearly caught off guard.
"Why are you acting like everything is fine?" Mya demanded. "You’ve been treating me like an afterthought, canceling plans, disappearing, and now you show up here like nothing happened."
Alex looked around nervously, then finally met her gaze. "I’m sorry, Mya. I’ve been dealing with a lot and I didn’t know how to handle it."
Mya shook her head. "That’s not an excuse. I deserve better than this."
Just then, a woman walked up to them, placing her hand on Alex's arm. Mya recognized her from Alex's social media.
"Is this why you've been so busy and unable to return my calls?" Mya spat, her voice rising in anger. "You lied to me about her!"
The woman looked between Mya and Alex, confused. "Is everything okay?"
Mya's emotions got the best of her, and she went off on Alex. "I can't believe you! After everything we've been through, this is how you treat me?"
A scene began to unfold, drawing the attention of nearby guests. Mya's voice trembled with a mix of hurt and anger.
As the confrontation escalated, she suddenly noticed Mike across the room. He had been watching the confrontation and quickly approached, seeing how distraught Mya was. Despite his own feelings and the complications of his own relationship, he decided to step up and be there for her.
"Mya, let's get out of here," Mike said gently, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "You don't need to do this."
Mya took a deep breath, trying to regain her composure. She nodded, allowing Mike to guide her away from the confrontation. His presence was a calming influence, a stark contrast to the chaos Alex had brought into her life.
---
Later that evening, Mike and Mya sat in a quiet corner of a nearby park. Mike decided to express his feelings through a spoken word piece, something he had been working on for a while.
“So peep this Mya” Mike began. I know you’re big into writing and creating so I created this piece, tell me what you think,” he said.
"When the world feels like it's closing in,
And every step forward feels like a sin,
Remember your worth, remember your fire,
Don't let anyone dim your desire.
I've seen you rise, I've seen you fall,
But through it all, you stood tall.
Don't let his lies cloud your sight,
You're a queen, and you shine bright."
Mya listened, tears welling up in her eyes. She had always known Mike had a way with words, but hearing him speak so passionately about her meant more than she could express.
---
The next day, Mike took Mya to Ethan’s art exhibition, introducing her to the talented artist who had become a good friend of his. Mya experienced a moment of clarity as Ethan showed her a painting he had created, inspired by the strength and resilience he saw in people like her. He didn’t ask for anything in return; he simply wanted to share his passion and inspire her. That genuine, selfless gesture made Mya realize how low her standards had been. She had been accepting crumbs when she deserved the whole feast.
As she and Mike left the exhibition, Mya felt a mix of emotions. She appreciated Mike's support but couldn't ignore the fact that he had a girlfriend. The reality hit her hard.
"Mike, I can't keep leaning on you like this," Mya said softly. "You have a girl, and I need to respect that."
Mike sighed, nodding. "I know, Mya. I just couldn't stand by and watch you go through that alone."
Mya smiled sadly. "I appreciate it, truly. But I need to find someone who can make me their priority without any complications."
As she left the art exhibition, Mya felt a newfound sense of determination. She whispered to herself, "Next time, I'll find someone who treats me like the queen I am."
This story isn’t just about heartbreak. It’s about awakening to one’s self-worth and realizing it’s never too late to demand more for oneself. Mya decided she would no longer settle for being an option. She was ready to be a priority. But she knew she couldn’t be a priority to Mike either because he had a girl, so she made the decision to focus on herself as she headed towards her car.
Just then, her phone buzzed. It was a message from an unknown number. She hesitated, then opened it.
"Hey Mya, it's Jay. I know I messed up. Can we talk?"
Mya stared at the screen, her mind racing…
Stay tuned for the next chapter in Mya’s journey.
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