Need some Advice

[BeaconofMercy]

I decided to come to these forums because there are mature people on here who can help me. I don't go to my own family because quite frankly...my parents would just make things worse...so here's my situation.

 

So I was walking to 2nd period, which is weightlifting for me. A friend of mine, a girl named Victoria, stopped and told me to deliver some type of poster to her sister, who would then give it to Victoria's friend for his birthday. I left 2nd period when it was over and left the poster in one of the lockers in there. I completely forgot about it. I suppose it was because I had so much on my mind that day, because I am usually trying to take care of more responsibilities than I can handle to be honest.

 

Later that day in 7th period her sister came up to me asking for the poster. It was then that I remembered where I had left it. I frantically searched and searched the locker room and the nearby trash cans, and it was nowhere to be found. I went back and apologized but she said I would have to "suffer the wrath" of Victoria, since she didn't make it herself. The guy's birthday was on Sunday and I couldn't find the poster.

 

I feel like such a screwup and I feel very sorry for both Victoria's friend and Victoria, who worked hard on the poster. I'm afraid she won't be understanding at all when I apologize (which I've rehearsed a bit) and I'm afraid that I may never stop feeling terrible about it. I feel like a total screwup who can't do anything. Also, it's like they think they're the only ones feeling bad in this situation. I might see Victoria again on Monday so any suggestions would be great. Here's what I was thinking myself:

 

Option 1: Make an apology note and put money inside. I was thinking up to 50 bucks.

 

Option 2: Apologize and just hope everyone forgives me.

 

Option 3: Find some way to avoid Victoria altogether.

[mcs0083]

Well, having been in a situation like this myself recently, I can tell you one thing. The longer you wait to apologize, the longer it will eat away at you. I don't know this girl, but she will probably be even more bitter about it if you don't apologize.

[Graendals favourite]

I don't know I'm the best person to advice here since I haven't really been in such a situation in a long time. However, I definitely think the simply apologising is the best thing for it, saying you are sorry that their drawings got lost, and that you broke their trust on this matter, that in the end it wasn't as important to you as to them.

 

I wouldn't start thinking about recompense, money is not a good thing to mix friendships in, and, also, you are not the only one with responsibility. When someone doesn't do a thing that primarily concerns themselves themselves, but asks someone else to do it, they do retain responsibility for it. People often do have a lot on their minds, you usually cannot ask someone to devote their thoughts to delivering your own packages.

 

So perhaps apologise soon, after people have cooled down just a little, and if they are decent friends they will forgive you your failings. Neither are they right to blame you when they did not make sure you had the time to do them this favour, though of course you meant to be trustworthy in the task. Maybe you can ask them that they will still trust you with such a task, as you would them. If this doesn't work out, hopefully a neutral relationship is still possible.

[BeaconofMercy]

Thanks for the advice it is much appreciated.

[mcs0083]

No problem ;D