1: I'm a 17 year old girl, but up until the last year or so all my close friends have been guys. Consequently, I sometimes struggle to understand or do the right thing with other girls. I went on a trip with people I hadn't met before and became friends with these two people. They had met on similar trips before. One was a girl who I will refer to as A, and a guy, C. A had a crush on C which I figured out pretty much straight after meeting them. I wasn't sure what C thought. I spent almost all
of my time with both of them for the first week (it was 3 weeks) before a friend of both A and I (who had also guessed that A liked C) told me that A thought that C liked me or I liked him. I was shocked because it had never crossed my mind and I didn't think C liked me either. A started to act differently and would get weird if I even WALKED beside C. She apparently talked to our mutual friend about C and I all the time. After the first week, it started to become just C and I more, because we nominate activities and A had chosen some different things. There was a transition in C and I's dynamic and I started to think of him differently. C and I finally discussed A's crush on him and he said that he was really weirded out by it (she was quite aggressive with it and obvious) which I had begun to suspect. The mutual friend asked what was going on and I admitted I thought I might like him, though I wasn't sure if it was just because he was 'there' or if I would anyway. I didn't know where C stood initially, but then it became obvious he liked me as well although we never discussed it. A didn't know any of this but was really upset about the time we'd been spending together but wouldn't acknowledge the real reason. She complained to the mutual friend that he was 'touchy' with me, and she thought he liked me. She then told me for the first time about her crush on him, though claimed she was over it, but I think she was warning me off. It really changed her attitude to me.
The thing is, nothing really happened between C and I. We live a long way from each other and we discussed other people's long distance relationships and both said what a bad idea they were so it was clear where we both stood. And I denied to A that he liked me, to avoid hurting her I guess. I don't think she really believed me though. But it made me wonder, did I do the wrong thing? I didn't seek C out and I was friends with him first, hadn't even considered it. I also didn't steal him away because he wasn't interested in her so nothing was going to happen. She hadn't acknowledged to me that she liked him, and I didn't set out to 'take' him from her. Still, I felt a little guilty. And after getting home and thinking back, I'm wondering if the view I took of it was correct or if she was right to be angry? I'm confused because as I said, I don't really understand the 'rules' between girls and my friends are mostly guys so I can't ask them. Sorry this is so long!!
---------------------------
No, you didn't do the wrong thing. There's nothing wrong at all with what happened between you, A, and C.
There's no such thing as having dibs on someone because they happened to "like them first". God, no. If the other person reciprocated your feelings, then, yeah, go for it, but if s/he doesn't then it's a free for all. You did absolutely nothing wrong by liking him or even just hanging out with him.
Just because one friend happens to like another friend doesn't mean YOU can't be their friend anymore. A was very immature in thinking that she had a right to C because she liked him first. She also should have talked with YOU about her "observations" instead of your mutual friend - this would have made things clear and caused less tension.
So, go frolic, sing, run through a field of wildflowers because YOU, Anon, are not in the wrong and you experienced one of those romance (ish) stories of meeting someone you like on a random trip that I have yet to experience!
________________________________________
If you ever, Ever, EVER find out about any "rules" about relationships between guys and girls, please tell me. I don't exactly believe in "all's fair in love and war," but I just don't think anyone could be held accountable for anything when it comes to love. I mean, even if A had told you about the crush and asked you not to lead him on or anything, but he still preferred you, whose fault is that? Definitely not yours. And since she said she was over him and all that, she doesn't have a right to get mad at you about it.
I know, 'cause I always hung out with guys in elementary school and then going to an all-girls' high school was a HUGE change. Dating (especially when friends come into the equation) is always hard in that situation. Period. But being naturally comfortable around guys is something most girls envy about girls with that talent. Be proud of that trait, by the way. It helps.
But, the moral of my ramble? You did absolutely nothing wrong. I promise, A will get over it and laugh and say "I don't know why I even liked him in the first place," like we ALL do (....okay, most of us do). Don't worry about it, but if she brings it up again, talk it out and put her trust to the test. Friendships are built on trust, after all.
Okay, I'm done now. Good luck with everything, doll! We're always here if you need anything else!
-------------------------------------
I totally agree with all of the above. During the last seven years of my life I've been studying technology, computers, electronics, basically all "boy"-stuff which mean there aren't a lot of girls around, hence, I have only guy friends. There will always be the eternal discussion whether people are hooking up when a guy and a girl hangs out, it's just human nature... You did absolutely nothing wrong, at all. Even if in this case there was feelings involved, I'd say that as long as neither part has a partner you can't put blame on anyone that has feelings, or makes a move. In my mind it's actually A that made the mistake of not talking to C and expressing her feelings in words, rather than signals. If she had done this she would have known if C liked her, and if not she could have moved on and things would be peachy.
The total sum of it all is: Girls are weird creatures, and so are boys!You should absolutely not feel bad about spending time with someone you like, whether it's friendship or more than that. You should always surround yourself with the people that makes you happy!-- Admin Axxent