One of my closest friends is throwing herself a birthday party. She rented a V.I.P. suite at a Drake concert and is inviting friends to join her. She invited me months ago, and I responded immediately that I was excited to join her. Three weeks before the event, she asked, by text, if I would be OK not coming. She wants to invite someone who likes Drake more than me instead. It felt like a terrible disinvitation. I told her I felt disrespected, but she maintains she’s done nothing wrong. How would you handle this? —OLD FRIEND
I am sorry that your friend treated you so shabbily. Invitations, once issued, are not subject to greater Drake fandom. For now, there’s not much you can do about this. Your friend has given you some unsavory news about who she is. In time, she may regret her error and apologize for hurting you. If she does, I hope you will entertain her apology. Being a friend doesn’t mean being perfect, but it definitely requires owning up to mistakes.
—Adapted from “Social Q’s” in The New York Times Magazine