This troper has before been in a situation much like that of Mike; stuck on a girl long distance, with friends among him at home, one of which just happened to be crushing on him. From experience? It's not a fun feeling. No matter how I looked at it, I could still be hated. On the one hand, I could be the cold-blooded heartbreaker who doesn't care about his friend (Which is what Mike seems to be headed for
at an alarming rate,) or on the other be the complete jerk who can't even find the girl to tell her in person that it's over, and that he found someone "better." Or
lie to both and date them at the same time, and get labelled a CompleteMonster. Couldn't even play the ChasteHero card because I'd already admitted my feelings to the girl long distance. Much agonizing, tears, and inner turmoil went on, all upon me in private. Eventually, I came to the conclusion that I really did love the girl long distance, and if my friend really did care, she'd respect that and move on. As I told her.
She didn't take it well. Cue me being expected to pick her back up, much to my dismay.