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Nobody deserves being rejected. First off, the world is cruel enough. And second, there’s a fair share of karma involved in it. If you ever reject someone, the chances are the same thing will come to you as a boomerang when you least expect it. In a parallel reality, everyone would have a reciprocal “It’s a match!”

But being told ‘sorry’ by your love interest is surely much more complex than that. And the best way to take a glimpse into humanity’s hurt souls is to look at what people have to say themselves.

So when Twitter user Eden Dranger posed the question “What was your harshest rejection?” it resonated with many, amassing 4,173 retweets and 67.6K likes.

So let’s get ready for a brutal, yet sometimes funny, other times plain odd, roller coaster ride featuring the stories of rejection as told by the ones who know what they’re saying.

#2

Emberrassing-Rejection-Stories

SueZieCue Report

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Alison
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow 😳 that was a close call. Sorry to hear about the wife though being beat up. Awful to think about what happens behind closed doors

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To find out more about dealing with harsh rejection, Bored Panda reached out to Kate Mansfield, an acclaimed dating and relationship coach based in London, UK. Kate told that the way rejection psychologically affects us vary from person to person. “Rejection can have a profound or a mild effect, depending on the psychological state, the past trauma, and the personality of the person,” she explained.

“At its worst, it can cause extreme feelings of worthlessness and even depression. It can cause the person to withdraw from relationships and to stay alone. Or, to feel not good enough and low self-esteem.”

Meanwhile, people with healthy self-esteem and confidence, are usually mildly affected. This is “because they have a solid sense of self-worth already,” Kate explained.

When asked about the ways to deal with being rejected, Kate suggested working on your self-esteem and understanding that it’s nothing to do with you, and usually, it’s not personal.

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“Try to feel grateful, because the one thing worse than being rejected is to stay in a relationship with someone who doesn't really love you. That is rejection on a daily basis, and causes extreme loneliness.”

#7

Emberrassing-Rejection-Stories

HallJaneh227 Report

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WilvanderHeijden
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Let's just hope that they are able to put him behind bars for his part in the siege of the capitol.

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#8

Emberrassing-Rejection-Stories

clairewillett Report

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Joonscrab
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You just dodged a bullet lolll if he can't handle a person having an extra few pounds, then that's on him.

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#10

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HombreVerde7 Report

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Catherine
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Haha this one made me laugh! Luckily, you were overqualified and clearly meant for bigger things in life

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Whatever people say, rejection hurts. Bottom line. It doesn’t matter which point of a relationship you’re at—being told "I am sorry, but" is something none of us want to hear. Emotional responses by anyone who’s experienced it are confirmed by researchers, and they range from feeling jealous to anxious and lonely.

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But since rejection has a lot to do with self-worth and self-image, oftentimes the pain of it is directly linked to how you validate yourself. Often people look for external and not internal forces to feel validated, which makes them vulnerable to setbacks. What if we simply haven't learned to love ourselves enough?

#14

Emberrassing-Rejection-Stories

linc0lnpark Report

Being rejected by someone you love can really turn even the strongest of us into emotional train wrecks. But in many cases, we tend to idealize both the person and the relationship, as we only remember good times and emotions.

Such behavior is usually unconscious, but it nevertheless doesn’t show the full picture of what you really feel hurt about.

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Interestingly, friendship rejections can often be even more painful than romantic ones. Beverly Flaxington, a life and career coach, says to remember that while a friendship’s end can be painful, it’s also normal for friends to come and go.

On the other hand, if you still feel like you're missing that person and that friendship in your life, Lexington suggests “reaching out to see if the person wants to get together.” In fact, timing may be crucial as it gives a whole new perspective of the friendship and the people we surround ourselves with.

After some time has passed and if you find yourself missing that person and that friendship, Flaxington suggests reaching out to see if the person wants to get together. Timing is key here. Time can allow people to approach a friendship with a new perspective, she notes

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#21

Emberrassing-Rejection-Stories

MarissaFugate Report

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Sum Guy
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sometimes you need people to be tough on you because family and friends might lie to you about how good you are

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#22

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woodra Report

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Dan Buczynski
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow. Well f**k Kavanaugh and f**k your ex husband. I hope you've since found someone who appreciates a bad@$$ like you.

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#25

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pixelexiq1 Report

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Lili
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I really don't understand people who pay for their not-even-spouse's education, house, cars, etc... Like, are you out of your mind?

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According to Lori Gottlieb, M.F.T., psychotherapist, "When somebody rejects us, there's a very primal piece to it, which is that it goes against everything we feel like we need for survival."

But beyond the evolutionary standpoint, our responses to rejection vary greatly as they really depend on the models in which we develop our relationships with people. Those with insecure attachment styles in contrast to secure ones are likely to experience much greater pain from rejection.

#27

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FistfulOfGrace Report

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Vic
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's not a rejection, that's cheating! He was not your boyfriend, and she definitely was not your best friend.

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#29

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sarahthemoose Report

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Pungent Sauce
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Stripping is sex work, and a lot of guys have difficulty separating the fantasy woman from the actual human being. Not excusing this jackass in any way, but as in most any job it’s best to not date the customers/clientele.

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#33

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nismorack Report

#34

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bookkakes Report

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Catherine
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ugh Twilight romanticised truly unhealthy relationships. So dangerous to feed the minds of young adults!

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#36

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manicgremlin Report

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Dan Buczynski
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Those are both $hitty, but I had to say how much I love your twitter handle. lolz.

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#38

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duffygirl8 Report

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Naomi
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

so if u broke your neck and fractured your scull then u would be his dream girl

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#39

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YeahHeyItsSteve Report

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Dan Buczynski
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Pfft...don't need anyone that's more interested in the contents of your bank account than your character.

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#40

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RebeccaKuhn4 Report

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Lis A
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've heard a bird pooping on you is good luck..so at least there's that?

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#42

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its_i_v_y_ Report

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Konpat
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He tried to subtly hint that he wasn't interested romantically. If anything, this is more polite and gentle than some of the other very direct or even rude rejections on here.

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#43

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meinyoursweater Report

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MERCI LANGSTON
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I sent notes to a boy in the 6th grade only to have one of his friends to tell me he didn't like me. We had the same gym and health class together. He literally sat one seat away from me.

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#44

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ovierocks1 Report

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Konpat
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Was it thanks with tears and utter gratefulness and in your fourties...?

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#45

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TomAandTom1 Report

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Becky Moore
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I read this as she murdered someone and was confused. I think I need more sleep

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#47

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DaveBiscella Report

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Konpat
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I mean... it could have been more elegant and she could have skipped the condescending "sweetie", but in the end it's not the worst rejection. Can't force her to like you.

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#48

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JulieMerson91 Report

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Verena Gitterle
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In my opinion, the Silmarillion is really boring. If he was into that, he would be boring also.

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#50

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Kampko Report

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Spring Fisk
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

wow, just wow. I hope that you have found loving people in your life now that honor you as you should be honored.

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#51

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Sharronica Report

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ZZAM
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Its not about how fat you are, everybody is beautiful no matter their shape or size or if they are blue or a unicorn.

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#53

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RandiLeaWriting Report

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MERCI LANGSTON
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She probably wanted your boyfriend to break up with you for her. Either way, she is a bad friend.

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#54

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celly321 Report

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Dana
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Um, Shirley Temple was an adorable tap dancing angel! I would be honored if someone compared me to Shirley Temple, especially if it was about my tap dancing! :)

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#56

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tiemmel Report

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Al Christensen
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oooo, this reminds me of something I did. The Sadie Hawkins Dance was coming up (where the girls ask the boys). My buddy's sister asked me to be her date. I didn't see her that way and delayed answering. My buddy asked, "What's your answer? Don't leave her hanging." I replied, "I don't know, I want to see if someone better asks me." Yeah, I was an ass. What I didn't know was all the girls had already figured it out with each other who was going to ask who, so no one else was ever going to ask me.

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#57

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AlcoTweeter Report

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Konpat
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This might sound weird, but you gave a great example of how consent works and that it can be withdrawn at any time and that a decent person like you will accept that.

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#59

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AbbieHolmes2 Report

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Kwj
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Some people just don't understand how much pain words cause.. What an idiot He is.

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#60

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Lindles_ Report

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#61

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rebekaaa Report

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H Edwards
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That just sounds like an awkward way of warning someone that they may behave inappropriately.

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#62

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kscc07 Report

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TheGirlFromTheNorth
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Similar thing happend to me as well, applied for the job, got rejected (s**t happens, you can't get ever job you apply for so that's not the issue). Instead of the usual "Thank you for applying but we've decided to proceed with others blablabla" they said "No, your IQ-level dosen't match our expectations". Maybe it's just me being grumpy, but find that kind of funny since I have a MA-degree (applyed for the job because I wanted to get a foot in at that company and climb the latter) and the job was at customer care dept, with that said, absolutley nothing wrong working such a job!!

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#63

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restonification Report

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#69

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CatLadyLoz Report

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#70

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#71

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kittynouveau Report

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Blarrg
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm not sure telling someone you've never dated that you love them is good judgement.

#73

Emberrassing-Rejection-Stories

NRA_TacoBowl_MS Report

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Pungent Sauce
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She was looking for a man who internally identifies as a woman who wants to date other women? Or looking for a woman who externally identifies as a man that likes to date women? Not judging, just looking for clarification.

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#75

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shellmh Report

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#76

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laura_stenger Report

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#78

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ShandyRage Report

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Anna Simpson
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This isnt a rejection. Learn some short phrases in sign language and ask again.

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#80

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down2LARSgirl Report

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MiriPanda
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am a little confused - why would you keep sending job application to a place you already know does not want you?

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#82

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4652_asmith5678 Report

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Jackson Gohn
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It might have been better to go home after the first five minutes of crying.

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#84

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#85

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april_alexj Report

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MauKini
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you like someone, you like someoone. You cant help it. Its his fault he feels embarresed by you liking him. How is it possible that this thought is still in your head?!

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#87

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failssafe Report

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#88

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MugenNoReiji Report

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Danieletc
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes, raging testosterone has a way of making REALLY dumb ideas feel inspired, even romantic.

#89

Emberrassing-Rejection-Stories

astroblivion Report

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Messy
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Soo..basically your bragging bc you rejected and ghosted the guy?🤨

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