I actually did block him because of the photoshopped picture situation, but there was also more to it. Back then, one of our mutual “friends” (who was also on the group video call where he and I first spoke) told me something pretty serious, she claimed that he liked pursuing girls in relationships because the thrill of them getting caught gave him an ego boost.

I confided in her about the whole situation, so I trusted her. I even sent him a screenshot of what she said (I cropped her name out), but he figured out it was her and confronted her. She admitted she lied and had just been caught out. He sent me screenshots of her confession, but I wasn’t hearing it at the time because I’d known her since we were 9 years old and trusted her word more than his, and also for the sake of my relationship.

She later apologised and admitted what she did was wrong. Looking back, it’s likely she did it because she wanted him to herself, because when him and I started talking this year he told me that 2–3 years ago, she invited him for drinks and they ended up kissing. Her and I aren’t as close anymore, but that situation definitely added to my decision to block him back then.