The Missed Meetup
Listen To The Following Reading
Tessa and Nina had planned to meet at a café to study together before their big exam. It wasn’t the first time Nina had been late, but this time she didn’t show up at all. Tessa waited for nearly an hour, sipping her coffee and checking her phone every few minutes. Finally, she packed up her notes and went home, feeling more disappointed than angry.
That evening, Tessa told her roommate,
“I really counted on Nina to be there. I even set aside time from my other work to help her review. I’ve tried to reach out, but she hasn’t answered. I don’t want to jump to conclusions, but I’m starting to feel like she doesn’t take our plans seriously. It’s not just about studying—it’s about respect.”
Meanwhile, Nina sat at her desk, her head in her hands. She explained to her brother,
“My phone died on me halfway to the café, and then my bus broke down. I wanted to make it up to her, but by the time I got there, she was gone. I know it looks bad, but I wasn’t trying to ignore her. I just didn’t know how to explain everything after she left.”
Discussion Prompts
Explain what Tessa was feeling after waiting for Nina.
What did Tessa mean when she said:
counted on
set aside
reach out
jump to conclusions
Explain what Nina was feeling after missing the study session.
What did Nina mean when she said:
died on me
broke down
make it up to
looks bad
What do their words reveal about how miscommunication and assumptions can affect trust between friends?
