Emi Asked:
“Last year, I changed universities and ended up living abroad. I was a little insecure and not looking for a relationship, but I developed a very close friendship with a boy I shared the dorm with. I was reluctant to get attached to him, as I knew from the beginning that he had a girlfriend.
We spent every day together, hiking or just hanging out in his room. He taught me how to drive. On the days I didn’t see him he would show up at my room, wanting to know where I was. It was always just us, as we were both new to the area. I started to develop feelings for him and I was very confused. I was definitely getting mixed signals (either of my own invention or from him). He’s a very touchy person and I always saw physical feedback (touching, leaning, hugging) as an indicator of interest, but I guess that’s not always the case. In any case, I was sure that he liked me back.
Anyway, he had been having issues with his girl, and I had been advising him (as a friend would…urging him to work it out rather than break it off). But when he told me that another girl had “shown up” (he had been crushing on her from afar for several years), I decided to mention it to him that I had rather strong romantic feelings for him. I thought the act would allow me some closure and help me to move on if he didn’t like me back.
I got no feedback from him (I chickened out and emailed him…he answered but ignored my statement), and so I decided that I needed to get over him (as if I would a boyfriend, though we never dated). But he has still been sporadically in touch. Every two or three weeks he will call or email, wondering how my family is, or wanting to know if he can come and visit (although he lives quite far away). I have largely been ignoring this, but it stings every time I hear from him. He is still very friendly, but I can tell that he is hurt that I have not contacted him at all.
Also, we picked out housing together next year (an apartment). So I need to remain civil without renewing my attachment to him. I was very preoccupied with him, and absolutely heartbroken when I found out that he was taken.
(also, obviously, I haven’t slept with him or kissed him or anything).”
- Emi (22)
