Friendship is supposed to be built on trust, loyalty, and support. We expect our closest friends to be there for us, to respect us, and to stand by us during difficult times. However, not all friendships live up to these ideals. Some so-called “friends” have a completely different understanding of what friendship means, and their actions can be nothing short of shocking.
Here are 12 real-life stories of friendships that went horribly wrong, leaving behind feelings of betrayal, disappointment, and disbelief.
1. A Betrayal That Cost Me Everything
My best friend went on a vacation for a week, and while she was gone, I saw her husband getting too close with another woman at a party. I snapped a picture, thinking I was helping her by showing her the truth.
When she returned, she told me she was planning to divorce him, so I showed her the photo. Instead of thanking me, she pulled out a different picture—one of me simply talking to that same woman. She accused me of being part of some scheme against her marriage and cut me off completely. Soon after, my entire friend group sided with her, and I lost everyone.
2. Uninvited from a Wedding Because I Was “Bad Luck”
One of my close friends called to talk about her wedding, and I assumed she was about to ask me to be a bridesmaid. Instead, she told me I wasn’t welcome at all.
Why? Because my mother had passed away earlier that year, and she didn’t want “bad energy” at her wedding. She still sent me an invitation—so she wouldn’t seem rude, of course—but I was explicitly told not to attend. I threw the invitation away without even opening it.
3. Left Stranded in a Dangerous Part of Town
I was leaving a friend’s house late at night when my car broke down about 10 minutes from her place. It was raining, and I was stuck in a sketchy area. I called her, hoping she’d help me out.
She refused. Said she needed to wake up early and couldn’t be bothered.
I had to walk to the nearest motel, a place well-known for its bad reputation. I spent the night there, alone and terrified. To this day, I still can’t believe my so-called friend wouldn’t drive 10 minutes to help me.
4. The Friends Who Left Me Behind
I wasn’t feeling well, so my friends stayed with me for a while. I thought they were looking out for me. Then, without warning, they put me in a cab—alone—and sent me home.
I woke up to the driver asking for money. Not only did I have to pay for the first ride, but I also had to call another cab to take me home. The driver even gave me a lecture about bad friends.
5. My Friend Let My Ex Move in With Him
After a messy breakup with my live-in girlfriend, I was struggling to move on. Then, I found out one of my closest friends and his wife invited her to move in with them.
She’s still living there, just a mile away from me. I haven’t spoken to him since.
I swear, if he ever gets divorced, I’m going to invite his wife to live with me just to return the favor.
6. The Funeral That Exposed a Fake Friend
My dad helped raise my childhood best friend since he was 12. When my father passed away, I expected him to show up at the funeral to pay his respects.
He arrived late, dressed inappropriately, and acted like it was just another casual event.
I dragged him out of his car, showed him a picture of my dad, and told him he was dead to me.
7. Planned a Trip Without Me
During high school, I suggested that my close group of friends plan a trip to visit one of our buddies who was moving away. Some of them laughed at the idea, saying it would never happen.
Fast forward a few months, and I see them all posting on social media about their amazing trip—to visit that very same friend. I was never invited.
8. They Forgot About Me When I Went to Boot Camp
Before leaving for boot camp, I gave my best friend my expensive gaming PC since I wouldn’t need it.
After I left, he and the rest of my friends completely stopped talking to me. It’s like I never existed.
9. Childhood Betrayal at Its Finest
When I was five, my best friend Carolyn called to invite me over. She had a playhouse in her backyard, and I loved going there.
The second I stepped up to the playhouse door, she jumped out and dumped a bucket of water all over me.
I was soaked, humiliated, and heartbroken. Looking back, it might have been a silly prank to her, but to me, it felt like my first experience with betrayal.
10. Abandoned on a Trip Across the World
My friend and I planned a three-week vacation in another country. But just over a week in, she packed her bags and left in the middle of the night.
She had been threatening to leave since we arrived, and when she finally did, everyone blamed me for not stopping her.
11. Used Me as a Prom Date and Then Ignored Me
My friend needed a date for prom, so I agreed to go with her. I spent $300 on my suit, tickets, and everything else.
Once we got there, she completely ignored me, spending the entire night with her ex. I left early and spent the rest of the night watching TV at home.
12. Kicked Out of My Own Room on a School Trip
In eighth grade, I was excited to go on a class trip to San Francisco. I had signed up to share a hotel room with three of my best friends.
The first night, they told me to switch rooms because I was “boring.”
I was furious. I grabbed my luggage, lashed out at them, and left. That was the moment I realized they weren’t real friends.
Final Thoughts: When Friendship Isn’t What It Seems
These stories prove that not everyone understands what it means to be a true friend. Some people take advantage, betray trust, or show their true colors when you least expect it.
But as painful as these experiences are, they also teach valuable lessons. They remind us to surround ourselves with people who genuinely care and to walk away from those who only bring disappointment.
Friendship should be about mutual respect and support—not betrayal, selfishness, or manipulation. If you’ve ever had a friend who twisted the meaning of loyalty, just remember: losing them is never really a loss.
