Story time.
One day I was on the MAX (basically a giant street car that goes all over the metro area) on my way to meet up with a few friends. I didnāt look at anyone, I didnāt speak to anyone, I just stood to the side on my phone making sure I wasnāt going to be late to my meeting.
Out of no where, this guy comes up to me and starts to chat me up. Me, being who I am, am absolutely terrified to tell this guy to f*** off. He was at least half a foot taller than me, and was way too bulky for me to fight back. So I suck it up at humor him, say hello. Before introducing himself or asking me for my name, he asks me out on a date. Not wanting to piss him off I try to make light of the situation and I laugh, telling him that my boyfriend wouldnāt like the idea, but thank you for the offer. He just shrugs and says, āHe doesnāt need to know.ā
At this point Iām scared out of my mind. Thereās this guy who, after seeing me run two blocks to catch the train, comes up to me and has made it perfectly clear that he wasnāt going to leave without getting something out of me.
I deny him a second time, saying, āI donāt even know youāre name. Weāre strangers, I donāt know you.ā He finally introduces himself and asks me for my phone number. I tell him I donāt give my number out to people Iāve just met and he says, āFine, but at least take mine so we can meet up later.ā So he watches me plug his number into my phone (which I deleted as soon as I knew I was safe and away from him) as weāre pulling up to my stop. I tell him I need to leave and switch trains and he tells me, āOh, Iāll wait with you. I donāt have any plans, so Iām in no rush.ā Itās important to note what at this point he had previously told me that he was late to a job interview, but he has all the time in the world because he still hasnāt gotten what he wanted from me; a yes.
I get off of the train and he follows me, and waits at the platform with me for over ten minutes until my train arrives, asking me all sorts of personal questions about where I live and where I was going that day. As soon as the train pulls up he grabs for me and says, āDo I at least get a hug before you go?ā
I was terrified. I was embarrassed. This dude, who before even asking me for my name asks me out on a date and then continues to harass me after I tell him I have a boyfriend, asks me for a hug only fifteen minutes after meeting. People around us were staring at me, as if I was being rude for denying him, and every inch of me was mortified. I wanted to run, but I felt like if I had done that he would have chased after me and things would have gotten worse. So I did, and he squeezed me so tight I felt like I was going to burst. It took me a good ten seconds to get him to let go and I ran to the train car just as the doors were closing. He was trying to get me to miss my train so I would have to wait with him even longer. I would have been stuck there for over a half an hour until the next train came by, and the platform (aside from the few buses coming by) was now COMPLETELY EMPTY. He knew EXACTLY what he was doing and he knew EXACTLY how to get me alone with him.
People, if you are in a situation like this do not feel obligated to give in. If someone is making you uncomfortable and asks to touch you in any way, YOU DO NOT HAVE TO SAY YES. Make excuses, be blunt, just straight up say ānoā. If possible, go to someone else near by who you think can help you and ask them to help you. Itās important for guys to learn that they canāt get what they want just by asking over and over again.
I got lucky. But not everyone does. Please, everyone, Be Safe.
blakekathryn
ellievsbear
stormborns
snowghoul
pixelskylines
dailybridgerton
