The ex. The person who used to be a massive part in your life, once the reason for your unlimited texting plan, the one who gave you the last slice of pizza. And then, one day they become your ex, the bane of your existence.
Most everyone has one. They are placed into three categories: the one that got away, the mutual agreement, and, my personal favorite, the creep. I have only ever had two boyfriends because my constant love has been school. (I'm a nerd, sue me.)
For some reason or another, I attract creeps. Even if they are a "one dinner date and done" type of relationship, they all end up being creeps. But by far, my biggest creep has been my most recent ex.
Three months, that's all our relationship was. It wasn't some long intense thing. I was gone for a month of it anyway here at school. Though you never would have guessed that by how much he texted and called. Literally I couldn't go more than two hours without my phone going off with a text asking where I was or how was I or that he missed me. While most find that adorable, I found it annoying. How could I miss him if I never not talked to him?
I'm in a senior in college, I don't need that much attention. I definitely don't need a third parent checking up on me. But sadly that is what this boy became. This transformation from cute to annoying to creepy happened in four stages:
Stage one: Non-stop texting
This was cute when we first started dating in July. I loved waking up to a "good morning beautiful" texts. I mean who wouldn't? They would always put a smile on my face. And then we would text throughout the day until 2am and I'd get a "good night beautiful" text as well.
Stage two: Non-stop texting on steroids
When I moved back into the dorms in August, the texting took a dramatic turn. If I didn't respond quickly enough there would more texts piling up. It didn't matter what the reason was as to why I didn't respond (such as me working or in class or on the rare occasion sleeping) he would be upset. It got to the point I couldn't go out because I felt embarrassed by always having to be on my phone.
Stage three: Parent number three
The non-stop texting was soon met with phone calls as well. There was one day where this parent stage came out in full force. I used to work until close on Fridays and then open on Saturdays. I had pulled an all nighter that Thursday, so I slept in on Friday and got called in earlier than normal, so I barely talked to my then boyfriend before heading to work. In my eight hour shift I received 8 phone calls and 12 texts messages. I didn't bother replying when I got off work because I wanted to sleep.
When I got off my Saturday shift I was met with another 3 phone calls and 10 text messages. Apparently, he believed I had died and was extremely worried, and, if I hadn't gotten back to him within another two hours, he was going to drive up here just to see if I was alright. His voicemails got more and more condescending as they came in. Reprimanding me, mainly, for not calling him or texting back.
Finally there is stage four: The Break-up
After all of these events kept piling on top of one and other, I decided I didn't need the added stress of a clingy boyfriend on top of the stress of schoolwork and actual work. So I dumped him. Over text message. Because I am a terrible person who can be easily persuaded to change her mind by someone yelling at me or crying.
I was then met with countless phone calls and texts saying how I couldn't do this, I was his world. I wasn't trying enough, this was just a hiccup in our relationship. This wasn't over yet. I was giving up at the first storm. My favorite I believe is when he quoted the Bible as way to guilt me into taking him back.
If you, or your friend, are dealing with a creep, there is one thing you must remember: DO NOT RESPOND.
I made that mistake. I thought it would be helpful to give him some closure, maybe. But nope. It started the cycle of non-stop phone calls and texts all over again.
Creeps can be dangerous, so as a PSA to the student body: please, if you dump a creep, don't walk alone, don't answer your phone, and delete them from everything. If they have your address put a hold on their mail, because they may send you some unwanted "presents".
With every creep I come in contact with I learn something different about what I want in a future boyfriend. So I guess maybe my creeps aren't as terrible as they seem. I mean, one gave me brand new underwear that I can wear to impress someone else some day.
