My fingers moved across the keys, their touch tentative and stiff. It didn't feel right at all.

I glanced at the tickets resting on the piano, taunting me to be thought about. Practice had become impossible, thanks to the relentless dilemma posed by these five tickets that had arrived in the mail just a week ago. Four were reserved for my parents and my two younger siblings, but the fifth – that's what weighed on my mind.

Peering through the window, I spotted Ashley, my lifelong friend, seated at her dressing table, engrossed in her makeup routine. She was heading a party, what with the hundreds of invitations to elaborate parties and outings. I knew she had her hands full, always surrounded by others, making it harder to carve out time for a quiet friend like me who spent most of her time practicing her piano.

Ashley and I had been inseparable since childhood. Our bedroom windows were right next to each other, where we will spend nights talking with each other for hours. We shared our daily adventures, family stories, and the dreams we harbored, not caring about the time or the events of tomorrow. Whenever our families were going out together, we laughed and planned pranks, accompanying each other on outings, and braving amusement park rides together.

However, when it came to offering true support, the story was different. Ashley had never once attended any of my concerts, always citing her busy social calendar as a reason. I, too, often used the excuse of practicing for a performance to dodge her hangouts and parties, but I have managed to make it to quite a few, even though I ended up standing by the wall like a wallflower.

Our friendship was a classic case of different priorities.

Clutching the envelope with the precious ticket to the Galleria, I knew I was asking something big. It was a chance to perform at the state's grandest theater, a dream I'd cherished since forever. I always wanted Ashley to show up, I had made her promise as children that she will make it, but with her busy schedule? It will be impossible.

Still, I hesitated. Maybe she can make it, and if she can’t than that is alright. Our friendship meant too much to me to risk it over something like this.

I gazed at the ticket and took a deep breath. Ashley was a true friend, just caught up in the demands of popularity. She knows of how many dreams I had for this chance; she would find a way to attend.

I stepped away from the piano, ticket in hand. I had to ask her. Maybe, just maybe, she'd rearrange her schedule to be there. She would, I was sure of it.

With the window wide open and the cool wind brushing through my room, I mustered the courage. "Hey, Ashley," I called out through the window.

Ashley glanced up from her makeup mirror, surprised to see me. "Emma! What are you doing here? I thought you'd be at school practicing the piano."

"Not today," I said with a smile. "I have some big news."

Ashley put down her makeup brush and gave me her full attention. "What's up?"

I held up the Galleria ticket, my heart pounding with excitement. "I've been selected to perform at the Galleria!"

Ashley's eyes lit up, and her smile was genuine. "Emma, that's incredible! I always knew you'd make it. I'm so happy for you."

"Thanks," I replied, my voice quivering. "I wanted to ask if you'd come to the performance. You know, as my guest."

Ashley's joy wavered, and she hesitated. "The Galleria, huh?”

"The performance is at the end of the month, November 31st, so there's time to see if you can make it."

Ashley fidgeted with her fingers. "That's a big deal, Emma. But I've got a party planned for that night, and I can't change my plans. You understand, right?"

My heart sank. I had expected her to be busy, but I'd hoped she'd find a way. "Ashley, it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me. Can't you, just this once, skip the party?"

Ashley chuckled, almost condescendingly. "Emma, don't be selfish. My plans can't be changed. There will be other performances, right?"

Tears welled up in my eyes. Am I selfish? I look at the Galleria ticket in my hand. If I could just share this moment with her and I will never ask her anything again. Just this one night.

"But you promised, Ashley. You promised you'd attend my first big concert at the Galleria. Since we were kids, you promised you'd be there.”

Ashley waved her hand dismissively. "Yeah, well, things change. Maybe some other day, Emma. I'll make it up to you."

My anger flared, and I felt tears stinging my eyes. What about all those other times where she missed my concerts? She always says that she will make it up for me, but this is the event that will make-up for everything.

“Ashley, you never showed up to any of my concerts,” I point out, “And I know I sometimes can’t attend your parties but I try to and have made it to a few. But all I ask is for this one. Just this event. It will make up for all those missed times that you said you will make up.”

Ashley shrugs, unfazed by my words, “Some other day Emma.”

My anger boils. I stare at her hard, and felt something erupting inside of me, something dangerous and beastly that I never thought I will have had in all my years of existence.

I lean against the window sill, making my face as close as possible to her, "You know what, Ashley? I've always been there for you! Always! And even if I can’t do it I try! When are you going to really try to be there for me too? Are your parties and your other friends more important than me?!"

Ashley's expression shifted from surprise to anger. "Don't be selfish, Emma. You're overreacting."

In that moment, it hit me like a ton of bricks. All this time I thought I was selfish, but I am asking for something so simple and so important and she can’t even do that. I wasn't the selfish one here. Ashley had used that word as an excuse for her absence, making me feel guilty for pursuing my dreams.

All I wanted for her is to show up to Galleria. Even if she misses all my concerts.

And what does she want from me?

All those times she guilt trips me to thinking I am being selfish, but god knows how many times she has begged me to skip a practice to attend a party for her.

I did it for her. She will not do it for me.

I straighten myself, a stubborn, unwavering anger cementing “Well Ashley, I hope you realize what you are about to lose here. This window is now shut forever.”

Ashley’s eyes widens. She gets up from her chair and rushes to the window, “No, no, no Emma. I didn’t mean it like that!”

“Nothing felt more clear than this moment” I scream, my voice echoing across the street but I want the entire world to hear the pain that I have been bottling for so long, “I am so used for you not being there in my life that it won’t even hurt if you don’t show up! But you? You are ready to toss me out of the trash if that gets you what you want!”

“Emma, no, look I will come!” Ashley pleads, her eyes wide. There was fear of losing me, but not because she enjoys my company.

“Goodbye.”

I close the window just before Ashley can reply. I draw my curtains shut, blocking her away from my view.

I just ended my only friendship. A friendship that was one-sided. And for the first time, I was free. Free from the worry of upsetting, hurting, or bothering Ashley as if I am walking on a tight rope that I believed I was selfish for not wanting to continue walking that rope.

I walked over to my piano and I played my song, and for the first time did the keys glide freely