A girl called Esme had been removed from her friend group's chat a while ago — quietly dropped, no explanation. It had hurt for weeks. Then, just as suddenly, she got added back in. No apology, no "sorry we cut you out," just a notification: Esme was added to the group. Everyone carried on like nothing had happened. Part of Esme was relieved and happy to be back. Part of her was wary — they'd dropped her once with no reason and could clearly do it again. And nobody had acknowledged the hurt of the first time, as if being removed and re-added were just normal weather she should accept without comment. She didn't know whether to be grateful, or careful, or both.