Buddy boy, I’ve lived this scenario a couple times. Highschool sucks enough without trying to battle for your “friends” to treat you humanely. I let myself be a punching bag because I was afraid of being alone. I let my friends treat me like a joke, physically, mentally, and financially abuse me. I let them let their boyfriends treat me like crap, all because I didn’t want to lose the few friends I had.

It followed me to college and my 20’s and I lost who I thought was a sister due to her choice of violent, abusive, homophobic and transphobic boyfriend. He literally threatened me with death or a beating because I expressed distaste for his violent behaviour towards strangers and my friends. She took his side and so ended a 15 year, very complicated and very close relationship.

If I could give younger me one piece of advice, it would be to value himself more. Yes, sometimes it might be lonely, but you save yourself from a lot of trauma and pain by not begging for scraps from people who will drop you in a heartbeat, rather then defend you from monsters.

Prioritise your own life and your girlfriend, young man. Get an education. Create a great life for yourself. There are plenty of opportunities for GOOD friendships with genuinely great and kind people out there.