Joanie's Story

So, I have this friend. Let's call her Joanie. She is an avid reader of Life Is Awkward, and felt compelled to share one of her own personal stories with me. I felt the need to retell it here, for all of you to embrace.

DISCLAIMER: Some of the facts may be faulty due to the memory of the author, but the essence is the same.

Joanie worked at a camp this summer. About six weeks into the summer, the staff was taking a relaxing break from the stresses of camp and went to a Barnes and Noble in a nearby city. Now, Joanie knew there was a staff guy (let's call him Frank) that had a crush on her. Sadly, she didn't feel the same. Now, here comes the good part. Joanie is with a friend looking at some books, chatting it up, when all of a sudden who comes by but Frank. Says Frank "Hey, can we talk?" Says Joanie "Sure." Not thinking it would be anything of importance, she walked right into the trap.

Frank: I like you.
Joanie: Uh.
Frank: (silence)
Joanie: We're in a BARNES AND NOBLE!!!
Frank: (silence)
Joanie: I'm sorry, I don't like you like that. I value your friendship, but I don't want to pursue anything else.
Frank: Okay.

So, perhaps this isn't as bad as you'd think, but it gets a little bit better. Joanie's fight or flight response kicks in and she chooses flight. She goes to find her other friends who happen to be in the "Christian dating" section. Ironic? One of her friends, let's call him Bob, says something about a DTR (now for some of you who may not be versed in the dating jargon of today, that means "defining the relationship". It's usually that awkward conversation that starts with, "so..." "so..." . You get the picture) Joanie mutters under her breath to her other friend, let's call her Ellie, "I just had one of those." Bob is listening, and is quite curious and follows Joanie and Ellie to a different section as Joanie is trying to tell the story to Ellie. Now, not only has Joanie experienced the awkwardness of the century, she has to share it with Bob, a boy. Poor Joanie.

And that is Joanie's story. If any of you have severely awkward stories that you feel should be shared with the rest of us, feel free to send them to me. I'd love to hear them!