Friends: The Truth Revealed

Dear Dee:
I have recently found out the people I thought were my friends have been talking about me behind my back. I want to tell them how I feel, but I'm afraid they're going to be one way to my face, but still talk behind my back.

I wrote two depressing poems that expressed how mad and betrayed I feel. I showed them to one of the people who talked about me and she felt really bad about it. However, I don't know if she meant what she said. I don't talk about them behind their back, I don't pretend to like what they're saying, and when confronted, I don't lie. I don't know what I'm doing wrong.

You have every right to be hurt, but know that there are people out there who are your real friends and you will find them. Now, if you feel this group is actually the real thing, talk to them. But go to them as confidently as you can and as strong as you can. Explain what they're doing is hurting you and is not how true friends act towards each other.

If they're your true friends, they'll feel bad, apologize and it won't happen again. But if not, be prepared have this happen again and again. That's when you need to realize their friendships with you aren't even close to what true friendship is about.

You can show them your poetry, but I'd be afraid of giving them more fodder for back-stabbing and gossip. So this is entirely up to you. You know this group best.

Good luck in talking to them, and please know you'll get through this now understanding how to be a wiser, better friend.