Worse Valentine’s Day Story - Jilted

The following submission is completely un-edited. Vote for this story by leaving a comment.

Jilted
By Valerie
http://stdworld.com

I have waited many, many years to share this story. But I hope that you will learn something about love and how shitty it can all be.

Since young, I have always been taught that I should honor my body and not just let it be used for other’s pleasure. It made sense to me. So, when I started dating in high school, I never went beyond a kiss or two. And I never wanted to, until I met James. I was graduating and James was a senior who helped me with some of my weaker subjects.

He was nice, kind and really smart. After a while, everyone knew that we were an item in the school. I was really happy. He respected my views about our physical relationship and we were really growing into a loving, giving relationship.

But he started asking for more when I was a sophomore. By then, he was into his third year and I guess he was feeling quite a bit of peer pressure. I knew that I loved him, but I did not know whether or not I was ready to give myself, body and soul to him. We were too young to be married.

Me and my friends talked about this, I agonized over it. Then, I decided. I picked the day. It was going to be a date that he will never forget. It will be the beginning of the next phase of our relationship.

That evening, James was very quite. I was nervous. Too nervous to notice anything wrong. After a nice, romantic candle-lit dinner, I suggested going somewhere quiet to talk, and he agreed. Once he parked at our favorite spot on top of the hill overlooking our campus, I started to kiss him. But he sighed and told me that we really needed to talk.

You see, he has been really bothered about where we were headed. These past weeks were tough for him. He has been getting encouragement and support from his friends. One of them, in particular, had been really supportive. In fact, he felt that he was falling in love with her. But he felt obligated to our relationship. I really could not remember the rest of what he said. But I think I got the key points.

Back home, alone in my bed; with my eyes red and bloated, I realized that I almost gave up my most precious to someone who was “in love” with another person. And all this on Valentine’s Day.

I have never, ever celebrated Valentine’s Day since.

Worse Valentine’s Day Story - Anxiety On The Border

The following submission is completely un-edited. Vote for this story by leaving a comment.

Anxiety On The Border
By Denise Grier
http://internetmarketingreview.org/blog

My sister dubbed him The Pillsbury Doughboy. But Greg wasn’t fat; he just didn’t look anything like the guys I was normally attracted to—those thin, dark, dangerous James Dean wannabes. However, I had had my belly full of that sort of character, so when the rosy-cheeked, cuddly teddy-bear of a man started talking to me at the Valentine’s party, I paid attention. And I was glad. He was funny, his laughter sweet and inviting. Besides, who wants to be lonely on Valentine’s Day?

We became lost in conversation as the rest of the party milled around us, dancing and drinking. Then he asked if I wanted to go grab a bite to eat. I didn’t think twice before saying yes. I blame Jose Cuervo for jumping out of those margaritas and gleefully declaring what a great idea it was.

It’s too bad that once we got to On the Border, Jose abandoned me and reality took his place. There I sat, on Valentine’s Day with a total stranger. What made it infinitely worse was when friends of his-a couple with a baby-stopped by our table. I felt like Alice down the rabbit hole and I was half loopy. The man and his wife pumped Greg for information. Who was I and where had we met, was I his new girlfriend? It was embarrassing and awkward for me; I can imagine for him it was torture.

I waited until they moved on before I excused myself to the restroom. I was in panic mode. Like a robot I bypassed the ladies room and honed in on the exit. I had waited tables before, so I figured the back door would be in the kitchen. I was right. When I tumbled through the silver swinging doors, the staff looked at me as if I’d been dropped into their private movie. I nodded and fled into the night.

The restaurant was in a shopping mall. I ran up to two girls walking out of Kroger and offered them ten dollars to take me to my car. All I had on my mind was getting home and crawling into my warm, safe bed, alone. The party was only a few blocks away. They were leery, but when I told them what I had done, they laughed. They believed my story because they gave me a ride. Or maybe they just needed the money.

The party was still in full swing when I got back. I didn’t care. A monster of a headache was forming behind my eyelids. Of course I felt guilty for running out on Greg. I pictured him sitting at the table, wondering what was taking me so long. But more than guilt, I felt as if I had escaped some horrible fate. Maybe it was the married couple and everything they signified.

As I was opening my car door, Greg drove up. He jumped out of his truck. “Are you crazy?!” he shouted.

How could I explain to this nice stranger why I had done such a despicable thing? How could I make him understand that I’d had a full blown anxiety attack without him thinking I really was crazy? All my life I had done the right thing, or what I considered the right thing; raising my kids, being a good wife, while my husband spent his time fishing or hunting, playing softball with his buddies. And what did I get for it? He ended up sleeping with my best friend.

When I met Greg I had been divorced for a few years, but what I had found out in the single world was more of the same. Cheaters, liars, dark, dangerous overgrown children looking for a mother, a free ride; hell, I don’t know what they were looking for, but they found it in me. It was as if I had a neon sign painted on my forehead that said Sucker, take me; use me up.

I didn’t tell Greg any of this. At the time, I didn’t know it myself. All I knew was that I would never be trapped again; never give it up for that killer called love. Maybe that was what scared me. He was a man who might actually love me, really love me. I couldn’t take that kind of chance. With the bad boys, at least I knew what I was getting into.

Believe it not, we dated exclusively for six months. As I look back now, instead of the Pillsbury Doughboy Greg could have been called Tolerant Man. I doubt he realizes it, but that incident at the restaurant and his reaction to it taught me something. I had never walked out on anybody like that before and I have never done it again. But to have someone still want me after doing something that nuts; well, honestly, it made me feel very desirable. And he kept making me feel that way. He would call me on his lunch hour, he took me back to On the Border and we laughed our heads off at my little escapade. He helped me see a side of myself I hadn’t seen before. He helped get over my bad taste in men.

Then he met a blonde spitfire and fell head over heels for her. I wasn’t so much mad at him as disappointed. But he was clearly in love, or at least he thought he was. I remember thinking how unsuited she was for him.

That was over five years ago.

I ran into him not long ago. He grabbed me as if I were a life raft, so very glad to see me, flirting with me. I had heard from friends of his — not the rude married couple, single, guy friends — how his wife’s grown kids had almost driven his insane, sponging off of him, and how she was divorcing him and trying to take the house his mother had left him before he had ever met her.

I told him I was happily married and had been since not long after our relationship ended. He told me he should have married me, which made me feel good. I offered him my friendship. I had no desire to offer him more.

But I should have thanked him for opening the nice guy door for me.

Introducing our Judges for Worse Valentine’s Day Story Contest

We are still waiting for one or two confirmations, but we now have three judges (we need 5) and I would like to introduce each of them to you:

Our Judges

Randa Clay - Great designer, great blogger, and great person! http://randaclay.com

About Randa:

I am designer and marketing consultant providing a complete package of services that includes custom logo design, print design and production, custom web site and blog design and customization. Beyond graphic design, my background includes work recommending, coordinating, executing and analyzing marketing initiatives for large brands, such as The Limited, Victoria’s Secret, Goody’s, Express and more.

Walter Burek - Great writer, interesting blog and an interesting mind! http://walterburek.com

About Walter:

A long-time advertising copywriter and broadcast producer, now a novelist and short story writer (outcome pending). The rest of my time is spent reading, producing podcasts about Classic Fiction and Classical Music and Scripture, playing golf, surf fishing, trout fishing, playing the guitar, accordion and keyboard, and taking long walks with my Boston Terrier.

Laura Spencer - Freelance writer, super blogger and really nice! http://writingthoughts.com

About Laura:

Laura has created study guides and final examinations for a continuing professional education company, provided writing and editing services for a book production facility, and created original web content for several sites.

Prior to 2002, Laura worked for several Fortune 500 corporations developing online help systems, technical documentation, and training materials. Awards received include: an award of merit and an award of achievement from her local chapter of the Society For Technical communication. The awards were for work done on organizational newsletters that she edited.

Angela Stevens - prolific blogger and work-at-home-mom extraordinaire

About Angela:

Words can’t describe. So, visit her page to view her photo montage. A picture paints a thousand words. Go read that thick book.

Bokjae - retiree and full time care-giver, overall excellent bloke!

About Bokjae:

In a previous time and place, he was some big shot corporate big-wig. But really, he is just another excellent blogger, caring spouse and overall great guy.

Worse Valentine’s Day Story Contest

Every year, Valentine’s Day bring a surge of anticipation to the hearts of many and a sour taste for many others. It is one of the most celebrated and bitter-sweet of all seasons.

We would like you to share your Worse Valentine’s Day Story with us. This could be all about you, or it could be something that happened to someone else which ruined your day. Whatever the circumstances surrounding it, you must feel that it is the worse Valentine’s Day you have ever experienced.

Contest starts tomorrow 17 January 2008 and will close on 10 February 2008.

Your story will be voted on by our readers and the top 10 will be voted on by our panel of judges to determine the top 3 stories.

Top Prizes

1st Prize: US$100
2nd Prize: US$50
3rd Prize: US$20

All prizes will be paid out via PayPal.

Special prizes

The first 100 qualifying entries submitted before 31 January 2008 will receive by mail, a pair of naughty, cheeky Valentine’s Day greeting cards that you can send to your friends. These are unique designs not found in any stores anywhere! Entries that are submitted after 31 January 2008 can continue to participate in the main contest, but will not receive the free gifts (it will be too late to mail anyway).

Our Judges

Randa Clay - Great designer, great blogger, and great person! http://randaclay.com
Walter Burek - Great writer, interesting blog and an interesting mind! http://walterburek.com
Laura Spencer - Freelance writer, super blogger and really nice! http://writingthoughts.com

More Judges to be announced soon.

Please use this form to submit your stories. If you wish to submit multiple stories, you can only do so one at a time.

Rules:

1. To qualify for the free gifts, entries must be submitted before 31 Jan 2008. Entries submitted AFTER this date can still be considered for the main contest, but will not receive the free gifts (not enough time for shipping!)
2. All stories submitted must be original (that means, you own the rights to the story, it is your story)
3. Stories can be real or imagined
4. Stories can be about your own experiences or some one else’s
5. All stories containing hate, anti-religion or other nasties will be automatically disqualified
6. All stories MUST be about Valentine’s Day
7. Each person may submit as many stories as you like, as long as they meet the above criteria
8. To receive your free gift/prizes, please make sure your email, telephone and mailing addresses are correct

A Letter From Ms V - My Worst Date Ever!

The following is an extract from a letter we recieved from a lady who just wished to be identified as “V”.

Hi,

I stumbled on your site and I thought that I should share this story with your readers. I hope that if a girl ever finds herself with such a date, that she can be wise enough to walk away. And for the boys, to never do this despicable thing.

I met this guy (let’s just call him “John”). He was quite a good looking guy. I was only 22 then. John seemed to be so sophisticated and worldly wise. To a young, struggling executive like I was then, he looked every bit the kind of successful person I hoped to be one day.

We had a pleasant evening together. He picked me up in his car and we drove to a nice restaurant. Nothing very fancy, but the food was nice and the companionship was great. He was a good conversationalist. He knew when to talk and when to listen. I had a really good time.

After dinner, we walked around town for a bit, then he drove me home. So far, it was a really pleasant date and I looked forward to going out with him again. But halfway home, he turned to a secluded spot where he parked his car. I thought we were going to make out. Seems to be a little forward on a first date, but at that time, I was young and a little naive.

Unfortunately, he did not just want to make out. Before he even kissed me, he asked me to give him a blow-job! The nerve of it. But the worse part was, when I said “no”; he took offence! He said that I was conservative, not liberated. Damn right. I hardly know him.

Thinking back, I realise how precarious my situation was then. But at that time, the danger did not occur to me. I was fortunate that he accepted the rejection and did send me home. I did not take his calls and he gave up after a few tries.

I hope that girls, you will not give in to such unreasonable demands. And boys, please, respect the girls you date.

Sincerely,
V

The above is a reader-submitted story. If you have a story to share, tell us: Tell Your Story 

How To Get A Good Date?

We have all heard about them, but then, why is it so hard to actually experience one?

Your friends come back and tell you all about the wonderful date that they just went on. They gush on about how wonderful he or she was, and how great a time they had. It could have been a dinner, a movie, whatever. Now, what happened to your own dates?

Here are some simple tips so that you can get a great date too!

Tip #1 - Understand what a “date” is

Sometimes, we go out on a date with the wrong expectations. When you do that, you are bound to be disappointed. I mean, how can you say “It was a great date” if you yourself have no idea what a “great date” is?  For starters, a “date” is simply an opportunity for you to be out with someone, doing something together, just the two of you. Now, if you were supposed to go see a movie, and you did; it was a great date. But if you did not really want to watch that movie, and you came back disappointed, what exactly were you expecting?

Tip #2 - Be honest with yourself

Be very clear what you expect the date to be. If it is the first date, then you might just want an opportunity to see if you are comfortable with the other person. If you expect to be swept off your feet, then, you might not be realistic. Yes, it does happen, but that is not the norm. People do win the lottery, but the rest of us work.

Tip #3 - Practice, Practice, Practice

Practice makes perfect. And actually, dating is an activity that the more you do it, the better you get at it. Dating is about you enjoying yourself, and getting to know the other person. If you know what you enjoy, what you like doing, then it is more likely you will enjoy your date. With more dates, you also learn how to be comfortable around other people, how to spot “trouble”, how to be a good listener, how (and what) to share and so on. Please understand that we are not talking about practicing your smooching techniques or your “moves”. It’s about practicing how to build relationships with other people.

Tip #4 - Dress Comfortably

Sounds silly, because most of the time, you dress to impress. That is true, but think about this - can you impress if you are squirmingly uncomfortable?

Imagine wearing a tight pair of jeans (to show off your slim legs?) and then spend the entire evening trying to get blood circulating. First of all, you will not be very good company. Your attention is not fully on your date. If he feels you are distracted, then he might cool off too. Or he might feel you are acting a little “artificial”; which could be simply a by-product of your uncomfortable clothing.

By all means, dress to kill. But select a dressing style that is appropriate to the place you are going for the date, and something that you feel comfortable in.

Escape from The Lousy Date

Sharon was so excited. This evening, she would be going out with Jim. That suave, confident guy from the Audit Department.

She was all ready in her latest black dress. Not too slinky, but with its nice spaghetti straps and a slight V-shape to show a little cleavage; she felt nice and sophisticated.

Jim picked her up in his car, and he started talking about his latest project while driving. She felt so flattered that he was already opening up to her so quickly. She was making all the right noises, nodding her head and even laughing at some funny incident over at the Engineering Department.

He seemed so excited by his job. Such a committed executive. He was going to make it to Manager soon, he confided. He told her about how his role was so critical to the Audit Department. He was, according to him, the most valuable employee there. He was always the one selected to deal with the big-shot Auditors from HQ, showing them around.

Well, by the time the appetizers arrived, Sharon knew more about the Audit Department than she did about the division she worked with more the past 3 years! Her smile was starting to freeze on her face and she suspected that she was about to get cramps, on the cheeks.

She was trying to comment on some item on menu when he cut her off and proceeded to tell her how they had that exact same dish at the gala dinner for all the finance big wigs. Before the entrée arrived, she was already pale and feeling faint.

Sharon suspected that the discomfort was originating from her ears, going through her brain and affecting her stomach. She excused herself to the ladies and when she came back, she was positively trembling. Jim did not seem to notice. He was so relieved that she was back, because he was just about to get to the punch line of his latest exploit at the annual general meeting.

Just then, Sharon gave a loud moan, retched and almost lost it all on the dinner table. As the surrounding guests stared in horror, she apologised and told Jim that it must have been the combination of the appetizer and the drinks.

Sympathetic, Jim volunteered to drive her home, but she insisted that he stay to finish the excellent meal he had ordered and to put her into a taxi instead. Jim demurred and as he flagged a cab, he told her how nice it was talking to her and how he wanted to see her again, when she felt better, of course.

Sharon got home safely and hid behind her locked door and her caller ID, and never saw Jim again.

Top 5 Places Not To Go For A First Date

Here are 5 places that you really should not go for dates:

1.     Your mom’s place
- do you think she will be impressed at your fantastic relationship with your mom?

2.    McDonald’s
- I mean, everyone eats there everyday, so, that is no way to show your date a good time

3.     The Local ER
- It might be a blast with the guys, but I doubt it will give the right impression (unless you are the head honcho there!)

4.     Video Arcade
- I think she would rather you stare at her than at a video game

5.    Horror Movie
- You really don’t want her to see you screaming on your first date, no matter what the cause

Jack and Jill Went Up The Hill

Jack and Jill went up the hill
To catch a quiet moment of romance
Up the hill there was a still
Where Jack sat Jill upon

But Jill fell off
And hurt her back
Then Jack carried her back
In the end, there was no sex

Just for fun, this. But the point is, when going for dates, personal safety is important. There is no lousier date than one that ends up at the doctor’s!