I have a theory.

Romantic heartbreak teaches you about love.
Friendship heartbreak
teaches you about trust.

Friendship heartbreak is quieter
than romantic heartbreak.
There's no permission to grieve it properly.
No songs, no rituals, no "of course you're hurting."

So you minimise it. It was just a friend.
People drift. It's not that deep. But it is.
Because this is the person who knew your unedited self.
The one who watched you spiral and stayed.
Until they didn't.
You don't ask, why wasn't I loved?
You ask, how did I misread this so badly?

Friendship heartbreak messes with your sense of safety.
It makes you question your judgement, not your desirability.
And that's why it lingers. And maybe that's why it hurts
in a way we never talk about.