So you want to learn how to almost fall in love with a person, do you? Well, let me tell you it isn't easy. Actually, it is easy. It's the easiest thing you can do and it only takes a few steps. Possible? Yes. Time-consuming? Maybe. Worth it? I guess we'll see.
Step 1: Seclude yourself and cut off all relationships so you can forget how to love someone.
Learn to only recognize glances and the space of at least one bar stool between you and another person as your safe zone. Only recognize the relationships of briefness and people in close proximity when it's closing time.
Step 2: Forget everything your mom ever taught you about people being genuinely good.
Refuse to believe that there is good in the world and remember that everyone has ulterior motives. Lose all faith in mankind. Teach yourself that everyone is going to leave or screw up, this includes and specifically applies to yourself. Remind yourself on a weekly basis that this world is a war zone and there is no place for love. Sharpen your eye to recognize that the love you think you see around you is nothing but a mere plastic replica.
Step 3: Dive into the "love scene."
I know it seems counterproductive, but trust me. Let a guy buy you a drink. Hold a conversation with him, even. Let him tell you about his life story as he walks you home and doesn't try to kiss you good night. Or listen intently as he tells you about his first heartbreak and about how he believes in serendipity some weeks later. Let him show you how vulnerable you are. Fail to realize that he's doing it.
Step 4: Recognize mid-conversation that you have the potential to love this person.
Find yourself struggling to turn away when he calls you beautiful or tells you how sweet you are. Recognize your position on love has changed. Realize that your brain has shifted gears and that there's no way you can turn back unless you do it now.
Step 5: This is the most important step, do not skip this.
Walk away. That's it. Recognize you aren't ready for this. Remember the time you were happy and alone. Someone's laugh shouldn't make you weak. Their voice should be caught by your dream catcher and it shouldn't haunt your dreams. Leave before you get the chance to love this person. If you want to almost fall in love you cannot let this person become a significant part of your life any longer.
Step 6: Move on confidently as if you never found yourself planning your future around them.
However, there's a catch. Don't move too far forward. Let yourself think about them now and then. Remember the way his callused hands held yours. Remember the way you used to laugh to fill the silence that increasingly got more comfortable. Keep in mind that you do not miss him, though. You miss the potential you had. Remember the way you didn't love him wholeheartedly. There were too many could have been moments and maybes. There were too many plans that were never made. Conversations that were never had. You didn't fall in love with him. You fell in love with what could have happened. You didn't fall in love with him. But you wanted to.
Now that you've read over these tips, I just want to remind you of a few things. Almost falling in love takes a lack of dedication and a lack of courage. So remember when you take this easy route, that you're going to have to leave some parts of the story out. Parts like the ending. But don't fret, you can write that part for yourself. You can leave it perfectly scripted so that the ending hurts a little less. Maybe your version of the ending is that there is no end at all. So almost falling in love with a person: Is it possible? Yes. Time-consuming? Maybe. Worth it?