2008 Woodie Awards
Hookups and breakups:
Love triangles and how to detect them
Morgan Nederhood
Issue date: 2/21/08 Section: Features
Note: for this article, I would like to sincerely thank Pat Ahern for contributing to the story, especially when I was completely floundering at 3:30 in the morning. Without his help I would still be sitting in his living room, staring at my computer, unable to find the words to finish this article. Pat really saved me from a total bind and I appreciate it. Thanks, B.
Have a new crush? Chances are, your friends know about it. Having issues with your significant other? Chances are, your friends know about it. Have any sort of news about a crush, boyfriend, girlfriend, that cute kid in your math class? Yeah, I bet your friends know about that, too.
Obviously, your friends are the people to whom you turn when you've got some new juicy tidbit about a crush or significant other. They listen to you gushing about that girl, or they eat Ben and Jerry's with you after a bad day with that guy.
But what happens when something goes wrong and they get too involved with that other person?
What happens when your friend stops being neutral and starts being a player in your complicated game?
What do you do when confronted with the classic social taboo of a love triangle?
Triangle #1
You've been flirting with a guy for a month or two, and news of the developing romance has started to travel. The two of you are seen walking together, hanging out at the few clubs in which you are both members, etc.
After a month or two of this flirtation, he has finally asked you out on a date.
Sadly, you realize halfway through said date that this relationship will never work, you just don't like him in that way. So, you break up with him.
About three months later, your best friend invites you over to her place.
You know you're in for an interesting time when she tells you over the phone, "We need to talk." That always means trouble.
Upon arriving, you learn that your best friend has secretly been dating your "ex-boyfriend" - if one date qualifies him for that title - for the last month.
Have a new crush? Chances are, your friends know about it. Having issues with your significant other? Chances are, your friends know about it. Have any sort of news about a crush, boyfriend, girlfriend, that cute kid in your math class? Yeah, I bet your friends know about that, too.
Obviously, your friends are the people to whom you turn when you've got some new juicy tidbit about a crush or significant other. They listen to you gushing about that girl, or they eat Ben and Jerry's with you after a bad day with that guy.
But what happens when something goes wrong and they get too involved with that other person?
What happens when your friend stops being neutral and starts being a player in your complicated game?
What do you do when confronted with the classic social taboo of a love triangle?
Triangle #1
You've been flirting with a guy for a month or two, and news of the developing romance has started to travel. The two of you are seen walking together, hanging out at the few clubs in which you are both members, etc.
After a month or two of this flirtation, he has finally asked you out on a date.
Sadly, you realize halfway through said date that this relationship will never work, you just don't like him in that way. So, you break up with him.
About three months later, your best friend invites you over to her place.
You know you're in for an interesting time when she tells you over the phone, "We need to talk." That always means trouble.
Upon arriving, you learn that your best friend has secretly been dating your "ex-boyfriend" - if one date qualifies him for that title - for the last month.
Be the first to comment on this story