Date: April 27, 2025

Author: Nathaniel Brooks

I’ve never been good at starting things. The whole texting-first thing? It terrifies me. But back then, when I met Olivia online about three years ago, I was somehow bold enough to take the chance. We clicked instantly, and for a few days, everything felt easy and natural. I don’t know what it was about her, but I was drawn to her in a way I couldn’t explain. I got her number, and things seemed like they were moving in a good direction.

But then, as things often do, it just… stopped. No warning, no explanation. One minute we were talking, and the next, there was nothing. I thought I was okay with it at first—after all, maybe it was just one of those things. But as the days turned to weeks, then to months, I realized I couldn’t stop thinking about her.

I’d be sitting in class, trying to focus on my notes, but all I could hear in my head was the sound of her voice, the little things she used to say that made me laugh. I wondered if I had come on too strong or if I had said something to mess things up. What if she thought I was some creep who was only interested in one thing? I wasn’t even that good looking, so why would she be interested in me?

I tried to push her out of my mind. I even deleted our conversation from my phone, thinking that would help. But it didn’t. I started to realize just how much I had started to care about her. The problem was, I didn’t know how to reach out without feeling like a fool. What if she didn’t want to talk to me anymore? What if I was just in my head, imagining a connection that never even existed?

I guess I’ve been avoiding it, hoping the feelings would just go away, but they haven’t. In fact, they’ve only grown stronger, distracting me more and more. Sometimes, it feels like I’ve become obsessed with her, and I hate it. I just wish I could stop thinking about her so I could focus on the things I need to do—like my studies. But every time I try, she’s always there, floating around in my mind like a ghost I can’t shake.

I know I’m overthinking everything, but the truth is, I don’t know what to do. Should I message her and risk embarrassing myself? Or should I keep pretending like I’m fine, when all I want to do is talk to her again? It’s driving me crazy.