After high school, friendships take work in a way they didn’t before.

Schedules stop syncing, hangouts require planning, and the little rituals that used to happen naturally start falling through the cracks if someone doesn’t make the effort.

One teenager recognized this and specifically asked her friend if they could use an upcoming sleepover to double as a birthday celebration since it was likely their only chance to see each other around that time.

Her friend agreed, showed up, but brought absolutely nothing. No card, no gift, no acknowledgment.

Now she’s starting to feel like her friend doesn’t care about her at all.

Keep reading for the full story.

AITA for being hurt that my best friend didn’t get me a gift

Basically we had a sleepover 4 days prior to my birthday and I outright asked her if we could spend one of the days during the sleepover celebrating my birthday.

I know she remembers my birthday since she asked me how I feel about turning 18 this time around next year (turning 17 this year).

Lately, she feels like the two have grown apart.

We graduated high school last year so it’s hard for our schedules to match, meaning this is probably the only time in a long time for us to actually meet / opportunity for her to give me a gift.

And like I don’t know, to be honest, I’m just hurt.

She thinks her friend could have done a better job making her feel appreciated.

Like it could’ve been a card or anything. I feel like the absence of the gift / anything really just shows me she doesn’t care that much?

She gave me a gift last year when I had a birthday party and when I was 15 she gave me orange juice for my birthday lol.

It’s normal to be disappointed when a friend disappoints you.

If you enjoyed this story, check out this post about a man whose friends say he’s privileged for wanting to eat at nicer restaurants.

What did Reddit have to say?

This user thinks this kind of disappointment is just part of growing up.

This user thinks this crosses the line into entitlement.

It’s possible these two friends’ love languages just don’t align.

This user takes this teen’s side in the matter.

This teen said it herself: it could’ve been a card or anything. She wasn’t expecting a big, grand gesture.

To her, it was the lack of acknowledgement from a dear friend that was the most painful.

Past years prove this friend is capable of effort, whether it’s a real gift at a party or orange juice handed over with a laugh.

Something changed this year, and the girl is right to notice it and right to feel stung by it.

Sure, friendships are hard to maintain after high school, but it can be done with enough effort.

If you enjoyed this story, check out this post about a man who reported some missionaries after frustration over lack of parking boils over.