Very comforting to hear other people's experiences with this.

It wasn't until years after the friendship ended that I realized it was abusive. I could go on and on about different events that transpired, but the most important quote I can share is this: "If it weren't for you, I would have killed myself by now." With that statement, I was hers throughout high school. I let her get mad at me over the most insignificant things. I lied to other people. I grew distant from other friends. I was afraid to do anything that might upset her, and I constantly told myself that it was worth it, that I could provide what she needed. I had no idea what I was giving up in return.

I'll admit, a large part of me was proud to be told that. to have "saved a life" so to speak, and I convinced myself that I was a good person for putting up with everything, enabling everything. I was naive. I'm fairly sure she saw this in me and manipulated the dynamic to her benefit.

After high school, we just grew apart naturally and are still on friendly terms, though she has no involvement in my life like she did back then. I am only grateful that I now know how to spot and avoid people like her.

TLDR: My friend told me that I was the only reason she hadn't committed suicide, and so I let her do anything she wanted out of fear for her life.