Awkward Things I Say To Girls


IT ALWAYS SEEMED LIKE THE RIGHT THING TO SAY AT THE TIME

Friends share beds all the time as, like, just friends. That’s not weird. (a prologue)

It’s Not a Date:
In Love With My Best Friend

Prologue

I woke up in the morning with my arm around her. The sun was streaming in the window the same way that they play light adult contemporary music in dentists’ offices. It’s not going away, and it’s not the worst thing that’s happening to you, so you just pretty much have to deal with it.

She woke up and stretched, then got up sleepily.

“How did you sleep?” she yawned at me.

“I slept better after you grabbed my crotch in the night.”

“I did? What a good dream that was.” She got up and started reaching for bathroom things.

“It would have been better, but I fended you off.”

“Pity.” She left, showered, returned, and dressed. “Look, I am going out tonight with my boyfriend, so I won’t be around.”

“Okay. Tell him I say hi.”

“And then I’m moving into my new apartment tomorrow. It’s so nice of you to let me stay here this week. Have a good day!”

And in a puff of green tea and cucumber smelling girliness, she vanished off to work.

I rolled over to look out the window, and quietly wished against hope that someday, she’d be my girl.

“She’s totally in love with you. Can’t you hear it in her voice?”

“That girl is bad news, buddy.”

“She’s so perfect for you! She’s exactly what you need.”

“She did what? Okay, she gets a new nickname. What’s a good word? Oh, I know: Succubus.”

Those are the sorts of things my friends said to me about my best friend in the last two years of college. I only heard the good ones. From the summer of 2002 to early June, 2005, I knew that someday, somehow, we’d be together. It was meant to be. Destiny, you could call it.

You could call if that if you want to throw up.

Look, you: if you tell stories to your friends about a girl you’re friends with, and they start pleading with you never to see her again because she’s eating your soul, it is not destiny. It is a sign that, maybe, you should check your soul for bite-marks.

Or, you know, whatever. Ignore your friends. They never cared about you anyway. Allow your soul to be eaten. It feels warm, and, if anything, tickles a little.

In August of 2001 we met, and in the summer of 2002 we became friends. In late May of 2003 she lived with me for a week. In June of 2004 I made her cry, and then in June of 2005 the whole thing built to a final conclusion that is as improbable as it was inevitable and necessary.

But none of it was a date.

20 Responses to “Friends share beds all the time as, like, just friends. That’s not weird. (a prologue)”

  1. Anonymous Says:

    I love your blog. I’m a new reader (female), and I do think it’s cute to read. Keep posting, you’re a great writer!

  2. Justin Says:

    Thanks! That’s good to hear.

    I’m convinced that my readership is 75% female. Someday I’m doing a poll.

  3. one girl Says:

    I would think it was meant to be had I been in your place too- acquaintances, then good friends, and then, well, you know…

  4. lenfercest... Says:

    I’m convinced your readership is much more than 75 % female.

    Also, if you make a friend of the opposite sex cry, that’s always a sign.

    It’s interesting to hear about such a story. Because in my life, acquaintances->friends->you know what never took more than a couple of weeks.

  5. Virginia Belle Says:

    i think i love you.

    please, please keep writing. you are hysterical. i have tears in my eyes from laughing so hard.

  6. Awkward Things I Say To Girls » Blog Archive » Michigan seems like a dream to me now. Says:

    [...] FYI, this is an It’s Not a Date story post. New to the story? Start at the beginning. [...]

  7. Awkward Things I Say To Girls » Blog Archive » I don’t think “nice” means “smoking hot.” Says:

    [...] FYI, this is an It’s Not a Date story post. New to the story? Start at the beginning. [...]

  8. Awkward Things I Say To Girls » Blog Archive » Boundaries Are For Losers Says:

    [...] FYI, this is an It’s Not a Date story post, and the below-described escapade is most definitely not a date. New to the story? Start at the beginning. [...]

  9. Awkward Things I Say To Girls » Blog Archive » Hot (Ex-)Copy Editor is Drunk and Online: A Transcript. Says:

    [...] FYI, this is an It’s Not a Date story post. New to the story? Start at the beginning. [...]

  10. Student writer Says:

    This writing is fantastic, as an FYI I thought I’d point out, you’ve got a great appeal to a male audience too. The Sensitive Type(tm), and the hopless romantic; the stereotypes that do exist somewhere out there. Keep it up, this is one of the best opening pages I’ve read.

  11. Awkward Things I Say To Girls » Blog Archive » Warning: This post contains love poetry. Please do not read without adult supervision. Says:

    [...] FYI, this is an It’s Not a Date story post which, I’m warning you, contains poetry. New to the story? Start at the beginning. [...]

  12. Awkward Things I Say To Girls » Blog Archive » If I know anything, it’s that dressing like the 80’s never fails. Says:

    [...] FYI, this is an It’s Not a Date story post. New to the story? Start at the beginning. [...]

  13. Awkward Things I Say To Girls » Blog Archive » I just knew. Says:

    [...] FYI, this is an It’s Not a Date story post. New to the story? Start at the beginning. [...]

  14. Awkward Things I Say To Girls » Blog Archive » Trust me, these kinds of chapters hurt me more than they hurt you. Says:

    [...] FYI, this is an It’s Not a Date story post. New to the story? Start at the beginning. [...]

  15. Antonia Says:

    “yes
    hes amazing
    and HE IS MINE
    I SAW HIM FIRST”

    this is what my friend said to me before she told me to read this blog, and I understand why she said what she said now. Thought the lady had gone loony!!

  16. hotchickcallme Says:

    hey, you are so funny. did she really grab your crotch?

  17. Abba Marei Says:

    I love your writing style. I’m the same sort of awkward with guys. I want to catch up on all of your posts!

  18. Getting Hit on Says:

    Aww this is cute. I hope she becomes more than your BFF =D

  19. Jonathan Says:

    Although I am one of your few male readers, I too find your blog extremely enjoyable as well as downright impressive. I love your righting though I find myself in a very different scenario regarding girls. Although I’m much younger than you and this may purely be due to the issue of maturity I find that almost 75% of my good friends are female. Perhaps because they are more empathetic and mature at my age (14) or because the qualities I posses regarding to friendship are more appealing to girls than boys.
    What I’m trying to get at is that I find it extremely interesting so see your contrasting, awkward experiences with girls to my comfort with girls, especially uncanny at my age. Of course it’s extremely different with girls one has I feelings towards.
    Please keep on writing, it’s truly inspirational.

  20. Maia Says:

    I love this.
    (:

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