Text me

Whether I'm single, dating, or in a relationship, my text-exchange game always seems to be the same.

Boys- if you receive a text from someone you are not interested in, and you do not reply, that is probably a smart move. We'll get the hint (...some faster than others). But if you receive a text from someone you like, are friends with, are dating, etc., returning the text is not only helpful for them, it's the polite thing to do, and thats what you probably do. Right?

That, anyway, is what I've always believed. If they like me, they'll text me. If they don't like me, they won't really text me. ...So why have I found myself texting a boy two times in a row? And, on the other hand, why doesn't my own boyfriend text me as much as I text him? I have this absolutely insane routine that I go through with nearly every person I've liked, dated, wanted to date, hooked up with, etc., and I know I'm not alone. Sometimes when I get the text, I'll consider not writing back. "He'll keep checking and there won't be anything from me and that will make him want a text from me even more." There's a rational thought. But then I give in because I'm too excited.

Maybe they just don't understand what it feels like to be expecting a text from someone you like. There is nothing worse than checking, relentlessly, for hours on end waiting for it to arrive. Without my knowing it, I start to say things outloud to myself every time I check with no result. "Of course not" I'll mumble, or "good, keep not texting me." Sometimes you choose a time a half hour or an hour away and promise yourself you won't check again until that time. If I do make it, which is rare, and there is still no text waiting for me, I find myself skipping words now and instead making a noise of disgust outloud. I'm just not sure if that disgust is towards him for not replying, or me for being so insane.

Or how about shutting your phone off so that you literally cannot check it. Terrible move, because when you power it back on and there is no text message, a small part of you will shrivel up and die. Know what that small part is? Your pride, girls. And the only thing worse than no text is receiving a text from someone else. Because whoever it is, I always hate them for not being the right person. Poor mum, all she wants to know is "what you want for suppy?", or it's Dad telling me "i can pick you up from t." Save it, Pops!

I KNOW HE GOT THAT TEXT, I tell myself. I SENT IT 5 HOURS AGO. WHO DOESN'T CHECK HIS PHONE FOR 5 HOURS? It's right about here that I, without fail, decide I am done with this person, because I am clearly more interested than they are and I don't need a situation like that.

Then a few hours later I might receive a text: I smile, I laugh at myself for acting like a crazy lady, I determine whether or not responding is my best move (it always is), and then I start the cycle over.

...Do boys go through this?