I Still Feel Guilty About the Tamagotchi

Okay, this is stupid. I know it's stupid. But I need to get it off my chest. It's about a Tamagotchi. Yeah, the little digital pet thing from the 90s.

I was maybe, like, ten? And my best friend, Emily, she had one. This was back when they were still new and cool, and everyone wanted one. I was so jealous. Emily named hers Sparkles, and she took it everywhere. She’d beep and fuss over it during class, and Mrs. Henderson would just roll her eyes. I thought Sparkles was dumb, but I secretly wanted one so bad I could taste it.

One day, Emily brought Sparkles over to my house. We were playing some stupid game, Barbies or something, I don't even remember. We left Sparkles on the floor in my room. When Emily went to the bathroom, I picked it up. I remember staring at that dumb little pixelated egg. And then… I hid it.

I told myself I was just hiding it for a joke. That I’d give it back to her later. But then later came, and I chickened out. I kept thinking, 'What if she's mad? What if she hates me?' So I just… didn't say anything.

Emily was devastated. She looked everywhere. I even 'helped' her search, pretending to be a good friend. I felt like a total piece of garbage. After an hour of searching, she started crying. I just hugged her and told her it would be okay.

She went home without Sparkles. The next day at school, she told me her mom said she probably lost it somewhere else. I felt even worse. I had Sparkles hidden in my sock drawer. I kept telling myself I'd give it back, but I never did. I was too scared of what she would think. I even killed it on purpose after a few days, because it felt weird just letting it beep at me constantly. Like Sparkles was judging me.

Emily and I stayed friends all through elementary school and middle school. We even went to different high schools, but still kept in touch. I haven't seen her in years. I don't even know where she lives. But I still think about that stupid Tamagotchi. I feel so guilty, even now. It was such a small, dumb thing, but it was a betrayal. I betrayed her trust for something so worthless.

I've never told anyone this. I don't know why I'm telling a website, but maybe someone else has a stupid little guilt like this, too. Maybe someone will understand. I just needed to say it. Maybe Emily will see this somehow. Emily, if you do, I am so, so sorry about Sparkles.