In your subtitle, you say that there is "no such thing as loyalty," but I'm a little relieved to see that that does not seem to be your ultimate conclusion, when all is said and done. You just appreciate the value of trust - how hard it is to win back, once lost - and probably won't give it, 100%, so easily.

Most friendships aren't the sort where we ought to leave ourselves so vulnerable to "betrayal." But neither should we close off the possibility of a few close friends that merit that trust and loyalty. Sometimes, they're worth the risk.