You finally poured your feelings out to a guy you’ve known for at least a year, hoping for reciprocation, but it went the opposite way. What’s the next move?
Last semester, I had a huge crush on a guy that I’d known for a while, but I was too nervous to do anything about it. Before my feelings for him grew, we started out as friends. I found him easy to talk to, especially about life before college, family and introducing each other to our friend groups.
It was nice; we matched each other’s energy, I loved the way he laughed, his smile and how we could talk for hours and never grow tired. After a month, I could feel my hands warm, butterflies in my stomach and my cheeks burning. I smiled every time I saw him and always greeted him.
I had to tell my two closest friends about him. We texted about how sweet he was and that he was the complete opposite of the two guys I previously dated, who were absolute jerks. The three of us giggled, or at least I did.
Of course, I didn’t want to be the one to tell him; that would be embarrassing. Instead, I decided to drop hints and sing covers of songs that reminded me of him.
I started by looking up and down at his face with a big grin during lunch in the Ram’s Den. Then I would save his seat in class, and he would do the same. I asked myself if he liked me back or if he was just a gentleman.
I did this every day and got no reaction. I thought he was completely oblivious.
When I told my ex-roommate about this, she advised me to tell him. “What’s the worst that could happen?” she said.
I texted my friends for their opinion, and they agreed with her.
On a cold November 2025 afternoon, the two of us met up at our usual spot for lunch with his friends.
When they left, he stayed with me as I packed my stuff.
I took a deep breath and finally said the three words I was holding back, praying he felt the same way.
Unfortunately, he did not feel the same about me. I felt fine about it, but he knew and was waiting for me to just say it. That was the worst part.
I left for class feeling completely outraged, because if he noticed all my hints, why didn’t he say something?
I texted my friends saying he didn’t reciprocate, but still thought of me as a friend. They sent their love, replying that at least I had another friend. Even if we couldn’t be more, I could still enjoy his company.
Since the rejection, I had to find a way to get over it. Easier said than done. I could write thousands of poems and songs about him, but he would still drift into my midnight thoughts. I even considered writing a letter and adding it to my box of crushes to look back and laugh at later.
After writing two poems about him for my English classes, I decided I was finally over him. What else was there to say? Even I’d get bored if I continued using him as poetry material.
I have realized that this is the art of overcoming rejection: you find a way to get over it in the best way you know how. For me, that is writing this column.
