Tessa and Steph’s Broken Friendship

After We Collided

Tessa’s friendship with Steph moves from complicity in the bet’s secrecy toward a wary attempt at forgiveness and renewed contact.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A College Friendship A College Friendship from "After We Collided". A College Friendship A new social circle Steph becomes one of Tessa’s first friends at WCU and introduces her to Hardin’s wider group.

A College Friendship from "After We Collided". A College Friendship A new social circle Steph becomes one of Tessa’s first friends at WCU and introduces her to Hardin’s wider group.

A College Friendship A new social circle Steph becomes one of Tessa’s first friends at WCU and introduces her to Hardin’s wider group. Trust is assumed Tessa believes Steph is a friend, unaware that the group knows more about Hardin’s bet than she does.

Silence About the Bet Silence About the Bet from "After We Collided". Silence About the Bet A failure to warn Steph knows about the bet but does not tell Tessa, expecting Hardin to disclose it himself.

Silence About the Bet from "After We Collided". Silence About the Bet A failure to warn Steph knows about the bet but does not tell Tessa, expecting Hardin to disclose it himself.

Silence About the Bet A failure to warn Steph knows about the bet but does not tell Tessa, expecting Hardin to disclose it himself. Complicity through omission Her silence turns friendship into part of Tessa’s humiliation, even if Steph did not plan the revelation.

A Confrontation at the Mall A Confrontation at the Mall from "After We Collided". A Confrontation at the Mall Tessa names the betrayal Tessa tells Steph that she cannot forgive being left unaware while others knew about the bet.

A Confrontation at the Mall from "After We Collided". A Confrontation at the Mall Tessa names the betrayal Tessa tells Steph that she cannot forgive being left unaware while others knew about the bet.

A Confrontation at the Mall Tessa names the betrayal Tessa tells Steph that she cannot forgive being left unaware while others knew about the bet. An apology is offered Steph admits she should have spoken up and says she misses their friendship. Tessa is not ready to restore the old trust.

A Tentative Party Reunion A Tentative Party Reunion from "After We Collided". A Tentative Party Reunion Seeing each other again Tessa attends a party at Hardin’s old fraternity house and spends time with Steph and Tristan.

A Tentative Party Reunion from "After We Collided". A Tentative Party Reunion Seeing each other again Tessa attends a party at Hardin’s old fraternity house and spends time with Steph and Tristan.

A Tentative Party Reunion Seeing each other again Tessa attends a party at Hardin’s old fraternity house and spends time with Steph and Tristan. Partial repair The conversation is less hostile, and Tessa begins to imagine that their friendship might survive, though the bet remains part of its history.

An Unfinished Friendship An Unfinished Friendship from "After We Collided". An Unfinished Friendship Goodwill returns Steph’s welcome and visible regret give Tessa room to consider reconnecting.

An Unfinished Friendship from "After We Collided". An Unfinished Friendship Goodwill returns Steph’s welcome and visible regret give Tessa room to consider reconnecting.

An Unfinished Friendship Goodwill returns Steph’s welcome and visible regret give Tessa room to consider reconnecting. Trust still requires work Tessa’s forgiveness of Hardin does not automatically erase her hurt over Steph. Their relationship remains open-ended rather than fully repaired.

Early in the semester

During Tessa and Hardin’s early relationship

Before Christmas

New Year’s Eve

After the New Year’s party