"Babies are people."

Claire Elizabeth: Maaaaaan 

Amy: Exactly, man-up.

Claire Elizabeth: But surely if you wanna get tough you should woman up? Cos men have testicles and they're pathetic and delicate. But vaginas are like hardcore, they're built to take a pounding, and squeeze people out of?

Amy: haha I've heard that before. Lol not "people" claire! BABIES. Eww. You shouldn't have 'people' up there

Claire Elizabeth: Are babies not people too? Do they have no rights?

Amy: I can't believe I'm having this convo at quarter to midnight on good friday. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to deny the rights of half-baked humankind.

Claire Elizabeth: You reckon there's a better time to have it? C'mon there's no time like the present :p

Amy: True. But I think this conversation would have been funnier when you are in labour :p "push that person out of there!"

Claire Elizabeth: Haha when? If lol surely :p yes I shall push this small person out of me! Awk if it turned out to be a dwarf or something...

Amy: Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha wow. I just fell about laughing. How do you tell the baby is a dwarf though when it's a baby? Unless you mean an actual dwarf, then that'll be some busted vagina.

Claire Elizabeth: No I mean a baby who will grow into a dwarf (though maybe grow isn't the right word there...) I dno, do they look weird or something?

Amy: Maybe you're confusing an elf with a dwarf? Then you'll be able to tell by his ears. Sorted.

Claire Elizabeth: http://knoahsarc.org/2006/12/15/so-what-does-a-dwarf-baby-look-like/

Claire Elizabeth: :D haha no cos elf's are proper sized -_-

Amy: That's disturbed.

Amy: No they're not. Not all of them are like the Elf from elf

Claire Elizabeth: Its cool, its her baby...

Claire Elizabeth: Yes they are! Don't ruin this for me!

Amy: No they're not. They are tinier than humans. You'll lived the illusion long enough, woman-up and grow-up.

Claire Elizabeth: Nooo in eragon they're full scale humans aren't they? 

Amy: Lol now you're bringing up that? Erm yes, but IT IS A LIE.


I had the above hilarious conversation with one of my friends yesterday about babies being referred to as 'people'. It is weird, but I never actually considered them as that. They are too perfect, too naive and too young. I believe becoming a person is something the world around you teaches you, but that would take simply take away the humour from the conversation.

Nevertheless, this seems like the perfect time to reflect on the past and what we learn from our childhood.

Sometimes it is worth remembering that we are all born without expectations and beliefs, which are cultivated over the years as we grow up and develop through our experiences and interactions with society. It seems easy to forget that we didn't always think the way we do now. I know that I am mistrustful of many people I meet even for the first time - the first impressions often take years to erode, but as a baby did we think twice about doubting the stranger who was making us giggle in that very moment?

There are many lessons we can learn from babies which I wish I could apply into my life now.

Lesson 1

Trust wholeheartedly.

While writing this I am hesitating on its validity. But I think it is important not to have misconceptions about people before getting to know them and 'where they come from'. I am too judgemental about the way people have acted with me once so that I deny them the opportunity of getting to know me again.

Lesson 2

Forgive and forget.

Ever met a young child after a few years? I have seen several of my cousins few years later and they have absolutely no recollection of what happened previously. They miss you for a few hours and then they forget you exist and become enveloped in the present instead. They forgive mistakes just as easily and never remember that you were the one who gave them that horrible tasting medicine that made them cry!

They will simply accept anything you give them again.

Lesson 3

Be generous with your love.

I recently visited my mom at the school where she teaches 5-year olds. Once I had gotten over the shock of how tiny these kids were, I saw that they were so affectionate towards me within a few moments.

One girl came up to me and showed me the latest drawing she had made and told me I was pretty. I was taken aback, but couldn't stop myself feeling the warm glow in my heart because the compliment was given so generously - she expected nothing back.

We should try to do the same and give love generously to people. I have been guilty of holding my love back in the past too much.

Lesson 4

Believe in miracles.

Now I can't convince myself that the magic coin my dad "finds" behind my ear is a miracle, but my baby cousin certainly does. Her eyes widen as she claps her stubby hands in delight.

I want to start believing in miracles again and stop feeling like everything is bad in the world. Sure, my life is not based on a fairytale, but seeing the beauty in every day things, for example, seeing the seasons change and walking along the Thames at night is a beautiful experience and I want to treasure it.

I also want to believe in the miracle of falling in love. It happens.

The nightmare(s)

My friends always get slightly worried when I tell them about my nightmares or "what I dreamed about last night" scenarios. Apparently, it is rare for people to remember their dreams, but I can almost always recall mine vividly, sometimes even months later!

Last night I had two separate and pretty much unrelated nightmares.

The first was about my mom. I don't know why I dreamed this particular dream, but I think it might have been something to do with the Race for Life run that I am doing in June. I signed up for the 5-km run in support of Breast cancer awareness and I was worried yesterday about whether or not I'll be fit enough to actually do it.

So last night I dreamed that it was my mom who had cancer and who had barely a few hours left to live. I remember holding her hand and telling her I loved her and then I remembered that we had barely spoken for a few days because of some childish argument and I cried even more - how could I have wasted the last few days of our time together?

She was having trouble speaking to us and I wanted her to write me a letter. I think this is just a lot of subconscious stuff I've been storing up in my mind as letter writing to spill feelings is a recent 'thing' I have developed. Then I remember that me and my father left to go and get something from the supermarket (no idea what could possibly have been that urgent), leaving  my sister behind.

Once we arrive at the supermarket, I turn around and my sister is there too. I get angry and am about to shout at her for leaving mom alone when my phone goes off. It's a text from my mom.

"I'm having difficulty keeping going.."

I read it and we drop everything and rush back.

We are too late and she has already passed away. I cry and scream and shout at my sister, telling her that our mom had to spend her last few moments alone because she left! I feel like I am never going to be able to forgive myself for this.

The scene dissolves.

My next 'nightmare' would actually have been called a dream, had it occurred a year ago.

I dreamt that I was finding it difficult to cope with everything around me and the only person who I could reach out to was Adam. I then dreamt that I ended up at his flat for the night and told him that I'd spend the night with him 'one last time'. It's scary that this has actually happened in real-life - multiple times.

Then we get into bed and just lay there talking, laughing and joking and I tell him that I'm in love with him, but that we'll never be together. He teases me about finally being able to say it and then we fall asleep. When we wake up, the door suddenly opens and in bursts Adam's flatmate, James.

"Just thought I'd catch you two out!" He grins and a camera flashes.

I try to cover my face as I don't want anyone finding out, but then Adam stops me and James carries on taking photos saying he will tell everyone that we're finally back together.

I don't remember the aftermath, which is frustrating as I wonder what would have happened in that sort of a situation and want to consider how my other friends would have reacted.

The second 'nightmare' felt like a huge step back and for the first time in a while I woke up and Adam was the first thought in my mind. I am trying so hard to stop myself from thinking about him because it just takes up my time and achieved nothing constructive. I want to stop focusing on the past and a dream like this just sets my recovery back.

At the same time, I think it is important to realise that there will always be days when I don't do so well and those are the times when I have to continue fighting and believe that it will get better in the end.

Letter to a cheating ex-boyfriend 2

Dear Adam,

I was just reading through the first letter I wrote to you and I realised that I had already learnt I could not go back to you so many weeks ago and yet I am still spending time thinking about the fact that you may yet change. What am I thinking!?

I want to tell you that I know what you're trying to do. You are trying to move on as quickly as possible to someone else and are hunting down any girl who would fall for you. Well it just isn't as simple as that. I tried the same thing. I tried to move on quickly after we broke up and ended up running into the arms of many guys who all wanted to be with me now that I was single - it's a shame you don't have that!

But I am slowly realising that their attention is only a temporary pill of happiness and satisfaction and until I learn to be happy on my own, I could never be happy with another guy. Guess you don't know that big secret. I was so hurt when you left that there were times when I couldn't see beyond the next day because I didn't think I could survive, but guess what? I have and I am so much stronger and wiser for that.

I told one of my friends recently that my next relationship would be so successful simply because I learnt all my lessons with you. I needed the experience that you gave me and I have decided to stop being the 'victim' in the story. This is my life, why should I let you be the main focus point?

I have barely told anyone outside university about our relationship which means that once I die, so does our relationship is the minds of everyone else - me and you would never have existed except for in your mind. I wished that you had seen me differently and seen how much I was willing to do for you, but you were too short-sighted to see anything beyond your own pain.

There were many many times when I needed someone there for me so much. Did you know that one of my friends passed away late last year? This was around the same time as we were fighting and I decided to break contact. I realised that you weren't going to be there for me in the future, so why go through the trouble of letting you know my past and present? I wanted to come clean about so many things about me. I wanted you to understand who I was by seeing where I came from and finding out all about my background, but you took away that chance when you decided not to prove yourself to me.

It's funny that the night I spent with you when you begged for us to get back together was the very same night that you messaged your friend in Imperial asking about that Sandra (was that her name?) girl and whether she liked you. Ooops I guess she didn't! Poor you, being unwanted by so many people. What happened now?

I think that when you were with me and you got attention from other girls over summer, it went to your head and you thought it would last. Didn't you? You thought that if all those girls wanted you, you could definitely do better.

But I agree with Sophia, our mutual friend, who said, "He can't do better than you."

Because, Adam, you can't.

I realised this because you once said to me "You think I can't get any other girls, that's probably why you chose me, because you thought I would be faithful."

I was so shocked! I hadn't even considered that to be the reason! I have had so many gorgeous guys approach me and I have turned them down. Not because I'm scared all the other girls want them, but because we just didn't connect. You have such poor self-esteem that you couldn't see that anyone could actually want you. I was the stupid one to think that I did.

I know I'm wanted. Not only by guys, but by friends and family. I am loved. You said you felt like an outcast in your own family and the thing is, you probably are. I can't quite put my finger on it, even after all this time, but it's like you just don't belong anywhere. I thought you belonged with me. Stupid me!

I'm trying very hard to forgive you nowadays because I don't think you knew what you were doing consciously. You were always the impulsive kind, and you never thought about the consequences. Now you're lying in the bed you made, boy. I feel sorry for you because you didn't know your own worth. You didn't realise that I liked you and wanted to be with you. And nothing I could have said or done would have changed that. I think even if I said "I love you" to you, it wouldn't have meant much because you had completely shut yourself off to the possibility of love from another human being.

I know I made a lot of mistakes with you. There were times when I made you feel worthless and I was worried about what "other people will think" but I am learning and I will improve. I've already started. I still miss our friendship just because you made me laugh and you listened to me. But I don't miss the way you treated me. I keep thinking about being friends with you again, but I won't attempt that until I am totally over you and I have forgiven you.

We've almost completed second year. Can you imagine that we have spent an entire term and only seen each other twice!? We used to spend every second of every day together last year. But you won't believe me when I say it has helped me make so many new friends and open myself up to more experiences. I have interacted with people and actively put myself out there!

I was so frustrated when you blocked me from your Facebook, and kept thinking "How Dare HE!?" but I think it wasn't about me. It was about you. You couldn't stand to see me having fun and enjoying my life. You couldn't stand to see me with our mutual friends and looking damn gorgeous (even if I do say so myself!). So you blocked me. Well I was childish enough to block you too. I wonder if you'll ever unblock me. Would you be tempted to? I'm not sure, but I think I shouldn't care at all! After all, would you care?

There are times when I just pity you. Because you deserve to be forgiven and pitied. Poor Adam, unable to find love after giving up on the best thing you had. Even if you find another girl, Adam, it will never be the same and I'm sure you know that. You know that she could never offer everything I did. How about you do the "by definition" test on her? Let's see if she notices that actually by definition is wrong! Then I suggest you just propose to her!

One of our mutual friends is getting married soon. I though we'd be the first! *cue laughter*

I think that if we had got married, you'd still have gone looking for something better because you weren't comfortable in the relationshipshit. Well we'll never know now.

But you should know one thing for sure. I'm moving on, eventually. I believe that it will get better in time. Time heals after all.

Have a nice life,

Amy

Learning to forgive

I was recently just thinking about something which I had told Adam a few weeks before I actually cut contact.

I had decided to walk away and told him "Have a nice life." It was an odd thing to say. Something you might throw at someone when you have had a minor argument or as a sarcastic reaction to something silly they might have said.

But today I realise the finality of it. Many times following a run-into him over the past few months I have made up my mind and decided that I will probably never see him again. Or if I do, it will be for a fleeting moment at graduation or something.

I think it is important to understand these words. I need to notice that I wanted him to have fun and enjoy his life. I just didn't want to be a part of it. I need to let go of the hurt and just forgive him for his mistakes. He is not necessarily a bad guy. He just didn't care about how I may have felt. He was being selfish, perhaps unintentionally.

More importantly, forgiveness means I find the strength in myself to move-on by realising it wasn't about me. It was about him. His insecurities and his need for attention drove him to cheating. It had nothing whatsoever to do with my flaws. I find it easy enough to write this down, but even as I type, I am thinking "What a lie. If I hadn't done that... or done this.."

But I am hooked onto revenge at the moment. I want him to desperately feel the pain and not be happy in his life. That's so wrong. I shouldn't care what he's moved on to because I should spend that time on me. I have so much work to do, so many things to fit in, that the time I am wasting on him simply isn't worth it.

"He blocked me!"

It's crazy how quickly my mood can change.

I had been missing Adam so much for the past few hours that I decided to 'stalk' him on Facebook. I clicked on his profile. I got an error message saying that I didn't have permission to view that page.

He had blocked me.

I completely lost it! I can't believe that he has the cheek to block me after everything he has done. He put me through hell and now he's shutting me out of his life as though I'm getting in the way of his 'amazing' life. I feel even more hurt than before. About a month ago he told me he was still in love with me, and how he has blocked me.

I can't believe that such small news can affect me so much and I can blow it out of proportion so easily. It has been over three months since I made the decision to stop all contact because his place in my life was toxic. I made the choice. But I didn't think he would go ahead and block me completely.

I wanted attention from him and I want him to decide to change for me, but he's obviously made his choice and he's not coming back. He might as well be screaming "I don't want you, go away!"

I just hate him.

I miss you like crazy

Dear Adam,

I don't know where to start, simply because we have been strangers for so long. I can remember when I thought I knew you better than anyone else and I felt you knew me well too. All that seems like a different lifetime.

I wanted to write to you to let you know that I miss you like crazy. I miss you every single moment of every day and I spend the time just thinking about how happy you made me and wonder what you're doing right now. It's scary to imagine that this time last year we were dreaming our entire lives together. How foolish were we!?

The saddest part is that you probably don't even know this.

I heard you went home last weekend from your flatmate. I was shocked that you would go home on the weekend before we were due to move back anyway, but then I started questioning if this was because of me. Were you so upset after seeing another guy hugging me that you had to get away from it all?

I just keep thinking about whether you even remember me or if you've found love somewhere else. The temptation to find out, either through a friend or by logging onto your Facebook is so great, but I know that will stall my recovery, and truth be told, I'm afraid of what I may find.

A part of me wants to call you up right now and tell you everything. But I don't know how you will react. I don't even know if you might be with another girl and I would just be getting in the way.

But I can't go through everything again. I can't deal with the pain you put me through the first time, and recently someone told me that cutting contact means there is "no new pain" and at least that part is true. I just need to wait for the old pain to fade away.

"Time heals" everyone tells me. They say that I will move on and fall in love with someone who deserves my love, but I just feel like that chance was you, and you gave up on us. I guess the only part of me that doesn't blame me reminds me that you chose to cheat and then you chose not to prove your so-called love for me. If you had wanted me bad enough, you would never have done that.

You were an important lesson of my life. I just wish I hadn't been taught that lesson through so much pain, so young.

I miss you, but I'm moving on. Time heals.

Amy

A Crap Friday Night

I went out last Friday night with a friend who had been nagging me to go clubbing for a while. As it had been a few weeks since I had had a proper night out, I thought it would be good for me.

We decided that it had to be a upper-class venue and decided to go for either Mayfair or Chelsea, eventually going for Upper West (Abel) in Chelsea. I would NEVER recommend this club to anyone. The drinks were too expensive, the venue was sub-standard and we were made to pay even though we were on the guest-list. Unlike some of the other clubs, the bouncers and entry staff were rude and everyone seemed to be 30/35 or older. I went with three other girls and we all felt out of place. It seemed unnaturally 'mature' even though the club itself was good.

I danced, but the music was quite crappy and I kept thinking about how if I had called up Adam, he would have come to pick me up and we would have spent the night together afterwards. I missed him even when I was supposed to be having fun.

There were no guys our age and there were certainly not any that I was interested in, but I felt guilty leaving Clara behind, who had wanted to go out for ages.

We hung around until around 2am and eventually decided that we couldn't take any more and told Clara we were leaving. She was too busy with a guy to notice and we left.

I got back late and saw that Mack had texted me.

15/3/2013 15:46: Mack: Alright, sounds good. Enjoy Mayfair and if you find it boring txt me. I'll be dancing until three at Kingsway.

15/3/2013 16:03: Amy: Thanks! Woahh have fun dancing the night away :)

15/3/2013 16:11: Mack: I always do, I can count on not being bored when I go dance ;)

I was bored. Plus I wanted some attention from him. So I texted him back that I had just finished and was heading back now. He said that he was also out at a Salsa/Tango party and he would be up for meeting up if I wanted at 3am.

15/3/2013 23:26: Amy: How's salsa?

15/3/2013 23:27: Amy: Party hasn't started yet here.

16/3/2013 01:39: Mack: It's fucking awesome! And it's tango :p sorry u have had my phone in me all night. Hows ur night?

16/3/2013 01:41: Mack: It us ending in 1hr though so if you want to Do something let me know!

16/3/2013 01:44: Mack: Jesus spell check is wrong. I haven't had my phone on me. And it is ending...

16/3/2013 02:15: Amy: I just finished!

16/3/2013 02:15: Amy: It got better in the end

16/3/2013 02:15: Amy: How was yours?

16/3/2013 02:18: Mack: Its barely going. People are getting tired but I'm up.  What r u doing?

16/3/2013 02:20: Amy: Just getting my stuff from the cloakroom now

16/3/2013 02:24: Mack: Want to run around for a bit

16/3/2013 02:25: Amy: What?

16/3/2013 02:25: Amy: Where?

16/3/2013 02:28: Mack: Idk London. Idk whats open but we can try to find alcohol for myself at least.

16/3/2013 02:28: Amy: Oh god

16/3/2013 02:28: Amy: You want to get even more drunk?!

16/3/2013 02:29: Mack: Im not drunk. Can't be to dance. That's the problem :(

16/3/2013 02:29: Amy: Where are you now?

16/3/2013 02:29: Amy: Oh.

16/3/2013 02:29: Mack: Kingsway, by Belgo just north of lse. Come see the end of the milonga!!

16/3/2013 02:30: Mack: Seriously, it will make you rethink why you go out at night.

16/3/2013 02:30: Amy: Really?

16/3/2013 02:30: Amy: I won't be there for a while

16/3/2013 02:31: Amy: I'm just getting out now

16/3/2013 02:32: Mack: U have 30 minutes to see me dance. I'll wait after to go do something so don't worry about missing me.

16/3/2013 02:32: Mack: Milonga ends at three.

16/3/2013 02:33: Amy: Okay

16/3/2013 02:33: Amy: I'll get off at holborn

16/3/2013 02:33: Amy: And msg you when I'm off

16/3/2013 02:33: Amy: Btw phone has low battery

16/3/2013 02:33: Amy: If you don't hear from me by 3

16/3/2013 02:33: Amy: Just leave

16/3/2013 02:34: Mack: Ok sounds good. 

I thought about what I was doing. I barely knew him and he was much bigger than me. It was a ridiculous time to be meeting up with a stranger. Only me and Adam had ever met up at such a time. But I said yes. I said I would head back and meet him close to his dance place.

I reached at 3am and started walking towards the party. He was leaving and we met each other half-way. He said I looked gorgeous and I blushed. He was taller than I remembered. I was used to being taller than Adam in heels, but Mack was much taller. He held me close and I felt safe. Weirdly, I felt like I could rely on him.

We started walking and he asked where I wanted to go. I said I was freezing so he could walk me back.

I had dressed for a club and was wearing no tights, just a dress and heels. It was 0 degrees Celsius outside. Mack noticed that I was freezing and told me to hold his beer. He took off his scarf and wrapped it around me.

"That's better, right?"

"Haha really. I don't need it!"

"Yes, you do. You look frozen!"

I thanked him and we kept walking. I was thinking about how Adam would always insist I take his coat whenever I was cold. I would never accept it, and he would kept pressurising me. He never just took it off and gave it to me until I said "yes" though.

We walked back and talked about his University in the States and how he liked London. He was definitely better looking than Adam, but I wasn't physically attracted to him. And I really didn't want him to kiss me or make a move.

We reached my Halls of Residence and he stopped outside and asked that I should think about what I wanted to do the following night (Saturday).

"Dinner, maybe?"

"I'll let you know." I smiled.

"Okay sure."

He left, just giving me a hug and kissing me on the cheek.

I walked into my room in a daze. It was weird. He seemed so perfect, but I didn't even want to give him a shot at a relationship with me. I just wasn't ready. I kept wanting to move on, but it just felt so wrong and I felt guilty about using Mack as a rebound, he seemed genuinely interested.

I think I should give him one chance. After all, I only started liking Adam as more than a friend after spending hours and hours with him and only when I found out that he really liked me.

Was it just a way of validating my interest? He liked me, so I had to like him back? I guess the subconscious part of me wanted it that way because suddenly I wanted something more with him than I had. Maybe Mack deserved that chance too?

And again

So I ran into Adam again last Friday.

It seems like he has timed his arrival perfectly to occur exactly as I am starting to get over him. I was heading back to the library after a lesson and threw myself down at a computer.

Just as I sat down I noticed him near the printer and absolutely freaked out.

He looked cute and more importantly he was here. He was close enough to reach/to talk to/ to kiss/ to hold.

But I pretended I hadn't seen him. We almost walked into each other twice and I started frantically texting Britney.

"He's here. He's here. He's here."

"Asha, Calm down."

"He's right here!"

Then I looked up and he was walking towards a seat behind me. Our eyes met and I blushed. He came over.

"Hi"

"Hi," I replied.

He looked at my screen, where Shania Twain's song, 'You're Still The One' was playing.

"Still listening to crappy music I see," He grinned.

I couldn't help smiling. He had always teased me about my taste in music.

"But to be honest, I do like Shania Twain. She's good. Anyway, how's life? How's everything going?" He asked.

"It's going good."

"Okay. Well I'll see you around."

"Okay."

And he walked off. I had an hour before my assignment was due in and I freaked out completely. All I had to do was see him and I couldn't stop shaking. I missed him so much, but I couldn't find the words or the time to tell him. I also didn't know if I even wanted to tell him.

I hadn't seen him in so long that it felt unnatural that this was the guy I had spent 24 hours a day this time last year.

I texted one of my friends (male) and asked him to come to the library as I really needed someone to talk to. He eventually came a few minutes later and I told him I needed a hug after freaking out over my ex-boyfriend. He obliged. Just as we were talking, Adam walked past in the distance. I'm not sure whether he saw us hugging, but later on as he was walking past once again, he gave me a dirty look and carried on walking.

It's mind-games all over again. First he comes over and makes a joke which he knows will hit home with me and then he tries to hurt me by giving me a horrible look. I think he may have assumed that me and the friend who had come to my rescue were in a relationship, but it doesn't give him the right to that kind of reaction. He's been a relationship with multiple girls.

He left the library soon afterwards. I couldn't focus and didn't manage to complete my assignment. That annoyed me more as I need to prioritise my work over him. Why does he continue being a distraction?

A broken friendship

A few days ago I had an argument with my roommate, Britney.

I had only become good friends with Britney this time last year and we had got along very well. I enjoyed her friendship and since we had started sharing rooms in October, we had developed a weird mind-reading connection as we knew each other so well.

But a few days ago it all broke down. I had known when I agreed to share a room with her that we would have loud arguments, but I also thought that we would become best friends. Then I started noticing just how immature and inconsiderate she could be. There would be times when she would delete my posts from her Facebook wall because it looked like I was the only one posting on her wall and she wanted it to be many people so she looked 'popular'.

She would also go on about how many likes a comment she made had got or if someone she didn't know well liked her picture. There were times when I would be crying because of Adam and she would make an insensitive joke. Or she would bring him up in conversations and say things like "I wish I get a boyfriend like Nick (one of our friends), not like Adam! That was unfortunate."

Or she'll give me empty threats to never advice me on anything saying "You don't listen to me anyway, so I refuse to say anything about your relationship or anything else."

She would also tell everyone how she loves them even after a few days of knowing the person and she would go on about every guy who looked her way. Often I would get mad when I would find out that she had told many of our mutual friends and some of her friends who I didn't know well about what had happened between me and Adam. Considering that I didn't want it to become common knowledge and for my pain to be spread all over campus, this hurt.

Eventually something had to give.

And it happened last week.

Britney had just got back from a weekend in Barcelona. She had gone there with two of her friends and she was excited and wanted to tell me all about it.

While she had been away I went on a date with Branton and on the day she was leaving I had told her that I was going on a date that night.

"And I care because...?" She had replied.

Taken aback, but knowing she was busy packing, I let it go.

She got back on Monday morning.

I found out that she was skyping with one of our mutual friends that night and she didn't tell me. By chance, I had also tried to arrange a skype date with the same friend, and she told me that her and Britney were speaking that night. Britney didn't mention it at all and I realised that she didn't want me to be involved.

I had meant to tell her all about my date. But I wanted her to ask. I had mentioned it that morning when we were both getting dressed and I wanted her to care enough to ask.

She didn't.

Then it was time for her skype chat and she started skyping. I was in a twist. Branton had asked me to meet up, but so had Mack and Brad. I was feeling overwhelmed from all the attention and just wanted to be left alone. And I needed to talk. So I invited my friend Sunny over. I needed advice and support and I really needed it at that moment.

Sunny came over immediately. I told her what had happened with Branton and showed her all the texts. Halfway through our conversation and discussion, Britney finished skyping. She then turned around and demanded to know what we were talking about. I said I would tell her later and it really was no big deal anyway. I felt like she didn't care and she wouldn't want to know.

Over the past few months, when ever I had come close to crying, I had simply left the room and gone to see Sunny or just gone for a walk. I felt like I was a constant distraction to her and I would be imposing myself on her as a burden. I didn't want that and I didn't want to have to 'owe' her anything. So I would just leave.

She continued to demand to know which guy I was talking about and I continued refusing. Eventually she got up and went to her desk, saying "I am not talking to you again."

I ignored her, knowing her tendency to make such empty threats. But this time she wanted to drag it on.

After Sunny left, I started telling Britney about the date.

"No, I don't want to hear anything."

"But, you did! And I was going to tell you once Sunny had left. Now she has, so I want to tell you."

"I don't care. I don't want to hear anything."

"I'm really sorry for ignoring you, but I was freaking out and I just really needed to talk and didn't want to explain it to you then."

"Mhmmm"

"Brit, it's true. You know I wouldn't hide anything from you!"

I continued apologising and she continued rebuffing my attempts until I gave up and left to go for a shower - at 2am in the morning.

When I returned I asked if she was ready to hear my side of the story yet. She said no. I decided that I would leave it for now and pursue this again tomorrow.

I couldn't sleep well and got up early. I had a 9am class to rush to, but I left behind a note saying I was sorry and I did trust her, but just wanted to tell her later. I had expected to receive a message saying she had seen it, but I didn't get any texts from her, and I didn't enquire. I knew we had to discuss it though, it was too difficult otherwise and I didn't want her to hold a grudge against me.

(to be continued)

The judgemental views

I recently started posting on a relationship website/blog after being a regular reader for the past few months and at first the advice/comments I received were kind, the mood soon turned sour and I got a few replies along the lines of "What the hell are you doing, you selfish cow?" without the explicit rudeness.

I was angry and upset and vowed never to post again, but I soon decided to look at it in another way. I was wrong. I WAS using the dates I had gone on for an ego-boost. I wanted the attention. Sure, the comments were wrong in assuming I let the guy pay - I paid half. But the essentials were the same, I was leading these guys on while knowing that I was not interested in pursuing a relationship with them because I was still hurting and still healing.

So I have made up my mind to tell Branton. I need to talk to him and clarify that I am not looking for a boyfriend but just a friend. Then I will see how it goes. If he really likes me he would be willing to be my friend and I would be happy. If not though, am I ready to lose the happiness he had brought into my life?

I'm not sure, but I know I can't keep dragging it on. It's not fair to him and it is not fair to me.

I don't know how to tell him, or when to tell him yet, but I know I need too. And soon.

Wasting time regretting

I realised a few weeks ago that every minute I wasted over regrets was a minute I was taking away from living my own life. But today I found a quote which perfectly describes what I meant.

My first date..ever

I talked about the Post break-up guy attempt 2, where a guy called Branton asked me out to dinner. I was excited about meeting up with him, but all I really wanted was to enjoy myself and hope that it went well.

But what I hadn't expected was my first proper date...ever.

While with Adam, I was never taken out to a nice restaurant (McDonalds is as fancy as it got for us) and he never really offered to pay for anything - eight months into the relationship and I still paid for 'my' half every time. I guess I didn't really miss being treated as much as I would have if I had known what it was like to feel special. Last Thursday Branton showed me.

I had finished late and rushed back to my Halls, having barely half an hour to get changed and get ready. I was considering changing my clothes, but didn't want to seem like I had tried too hard. I thought that it would be best to just stay in the clothes I had worn this morning so that he didn't think I had gone home just to change for him. But when one of my friends walked in as I was deliberating what to wear, she seemed aghast at me deciding to wear a very casual, vintage sports look t-shirt.

"I think you should perhaps change into something a little nicer," she suggested.

"I considered a dress, but I don't want to give him the wrong impression."

"NO dress! Not only is it -1 degrees outside, but that will definitely give him the wrong impression."

"Okay, how about this top?"

I held up a flowy sea-green top that was comfortable and clung onto my curves in the right places. Receiving her approval, I also put on an under-shirt as the top was slightly see-through and I wanted to be on my best 'friendly' behaviour.

"Make sure you give your best friend vibes."

"I will. I will ask him mid-way through dinner, 'Hey can you feel that? Those super friendly vibes'"? I winked at her.

We laughed and I continued getting ready. I hoped Branton wouldn't expect me to kiss him. I didn't want to.

I left and walked down to Covent Garden station.

I arrived at the station and texted him to let him know I was there. I was worried that he would ask me where I wanted to go and I really didn't want to be the one deciding. Not only because I barely knew the restaurants around the area, but also because I wanted to be with a guy who knew how to plan and act on them. After Adam, I needed a break from being the one who took all the initiative.

He texted me back soon afterwards saying he had also arrived.

He was still in the suit he had worn on the day and I was glad that I had changed into a nicer top, the sports top would not have been formal enough at all.

"Hi"

"Hi," I replied.

"I was trying to find you and couldn't see you!"

"I was just over there. And I was on time!"

We started walking and he led. It seemed like he had already decided where we were going to go. I was glad there had been none of the "What do you feel like doing?"

We arrived at Carluccio's. I was surprised. It was a very upscale Italian restaurant. And it was very romantic. I felt a bit uncomfortable too.

Branton had booked a table for us. I was really started to like this guy. He probably didn't even know. We were led upstairs by the waitress and she showed us to a table for two near the window. It was the best restaurant I had been to in a while.

We sat down and scanned the menu while we talked. I had expected the conversation to be awkward, but we seemed to have so much in common. I wished that I found him more physically attractive. He was a really nice guy, but until I felt the butterflies, I didn't feel like I could be with him as anything more than a friend.

The dinner was amazing and the conversation didn't stall. He made me laugh and even laughed at my poor attempts at humour. We were one of the last people to leave the restaurant and he paid for me. I have never had a guy pay for the entire dinner (with the exception of family members) and I was flattered. It really was my first proper date.

When we left he asked me how I was getting home. I said I was walking and he offered to walk back the way I was going. I accepted the offer. He walked me halfway and then I said I had to go the other way and he turned to me. I felt really awkward. I didn't know what to do.

"I had a really nice time tonight. Thanks." I said.

"Yes, so did I."

"Oh and do send me the link about Wicked, I want to see it." We had talked about my favourite musical, Wicked, and he had suggested I watch the last performance of one of the main characters.

"Ofcourse! Yes, I will."

We were silent for a split second and then I said "Bye, Branton." He returned the goodbye and I walked off. We didn't even shake hands or hug. I was pleased he hadn't tried anything.

He texted me before I even got back and asked to meet the following Thursday, telling me he had had a really good night. I didn't reply as I wasn't sure how I felt. I liked him, but as a friend. I enjoyed his company, but didn't want any romantic/physical relationship.

I guess I don't want him to be my rebound. He is a really nice guy and I know he could make me happy, but I want to find the right person for me, and I just don't feel like it's him and this time I am going to listen to my 'gut'. My 'inner voice'.