I realize that it has been too long since I updated the ongoing saga, but I wanted to wait until there was really something to be said. So, without further ado, the conclusion of what might be the most frustrating guy experience I have ever had. So, I spent the couple of days following “the texts” in a pretty foul mood. I had an essay to write, but couldn’t settle down to it because of my complete frustration with the situation. I was alternately angry with him for getting my hopes up and mad at myself for thinking he was serious. Anyway, the next day, I added him as a friend on facebook in order to communicate to him that there were not hard feelings (even though there were.) I wasn’t sure where that would lead us, but apparently it was the correct decision. That very day he started chatting with me and we chatted for several hours. No mention was made of the previous conversation, but I was content to wait until the time seemed right to approach the subject. I also wanted him to pass “the test.” For you gentlemen readers, “the test” is something women do to make sure you’re worthy of their affections. You don’t know we’re doing it, but if you fail, we decide you’re off the list. Tests usually take the form of some sort of gesture on your part that shows initiative and interest: a phone call, a text, initiating a conversation, etc. So the Slacker’s test was to initiate chat conversations on facebook. I’m pleased to report that he passed his test on several occasions. We chatted quite a bit during that week and I was feeling pretty good about things. He seemed invested and our conversations were real and flirty all at the same time. After three or four times, I felt that it was okay for me to then start a conversation once or twice. It was comfortable and I felt like we were back to where we’d been pre-drunk-text. I was looking forward to when we’d see each other again. We had determined to go to the pub again after our presentations and I was ready. I had rehearsed the speech I was going to give and felt that it was perfect and could lead to nothing less than a fantastic night of snogging.
So it was with great anticipation that I prepared for the presentations. (We had to give a little ten-minute presentation on our thesis topic. Definitely not the most important thing on my mind that night.) I planned my outfit carefully and took great care to make my hair and makeup look just right. It has to be said that I looked hot. I walked to campus and got there before he did. I was chatting to a friend who knows the story when he walked in and sat down at the table across from me without acknowledging my presence. He had failed that test to be sure. So, we got off to a bad start. I wasn’t sure how he was going to handle things, but clearly he was a bit awkward about the whole thing. That in turn, made me feel a little awkward, so I decided to be a bit aloof. It didn’t last. He eventually gave me one of his patented sideways glance-smirks and I was toast. We spent the rest of the two hours making eyes at each other and flirting. After we finished, a few of us headed over to the pub to celebrate the end of our course. Eventually a couple of them left and we were down to three. Things so far were going according to plan. We did the pub quiz and the guys kept drinking, which was also part of the plan. Usually a few drinks in, the Slacker starts to get flirty and lean in and such, but this time he was just getting cranky. He was in a really foul mood and the alcohol was not helping. There was none of the usual arm around my shoulder, leaning in close business this time and I was frustrated. We decided not to stay for the karaoke, which was fine with me because it meant the night was still young. So we started for home and he talked about how hard it was to be leaving Reading and his ex. Not exactly the type of conversation I wanted to be having the possibly last time I would see him. As we got closer to my house, he mentioned that he was going to stop and get some chips and go home. By this time, I was already frustrated and not feeling the vibe, so I let him go without giving my speech. He didn’t even walk me all the way home. He said goodbye and gave me a hug and that was it. I walked the rest of the way home by myself, cursing him all the way. That was a week ago and we’ve chatted just once since then. To be so close and then not have it happen is so frustrating. I have no idea if I will see him ever again. Part of me (my lips) wants to while the more rational part (my brain) says to call it quits. I guess we’ll have to wait and see which one wins out.
