Have been for a week, actually.

Last week, I was just lazing around my house when I got a text from somebody I work with asking if I wanted to hang out. I didn't really feel like going anywhere, nor like having anybody over, so I kept trying to stall him. He's one of those work friends, for one thing; for another I just didn't feel like dealing with anybody. But I felt bad for him--he doesn't have a lot of friends.

So I ended up having company, which, okay, whatever. We watched some Youtube videos, bitched about work a bit, blah blah blah. At one point I heard my phone chime and picked it up to find a text message .... from the guy sitting on my couch, a foot away. It said, "Want to make out?"

I laughed and said something like "what the fuck?", assuming he was kidding, and loaded up another Youtube video. After a while we started playing MarioKart, which involved much swearing and laughing and at one point me pouring a giant glass of ice water on him for cheating.

I heard my phone chime twice more, but ignored it, because I was starting to get a weird feeling. He kept touching me--not in an obvious way, just things like when our legs bumped in to each other he didn't move, he sat a little too close, etc. Between that and the text, I was a bit weirded out, so I just ignored my phone. We played MarioKart for a while and then he went home.

I then checked my phone to find two more texts, one saying "I was being serious." and another saying "You know you want to." I didn't respond; I had no idea what to say. I didn't work with him all week; he came in for dinner tonight and said he was going to eat, unless I was leaving and then there was no reason to stay. I tried to act normal, giving him the usual amount of sarcastic bitchiness and fucking with his soda. It's just awkward.

I feel bad, but I'm sort of glad he's planning on quitting, because I just don't know how to deal with this! See, the thing is this: he's 18. He doesn't even graduate high school until next week! I'm not old enough for that to be flattering, it's just uncomfortable! If he were several years older, well, he's a nice kid. But that's just it, he's a nice kid.

I have no idea how to handle this.

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2 Responses
  1. vesta44 Says:

    If you end up having to work with him again before he quits, and he persists, if it were me, I would just tell him I'm not interested in him "that way". That it's strictly business at work, and outside of work, friends only, and that he needs to respect your boundaries.
    I know that's easier said than done, but if you don't say anything at all, he's going to continue to harass you, because he doesn't sound like someone who can take a hint (and you hinted pretty strongly that you weren't interested when you ignored his text messages).


  2. purplegirl Says:

    Oh, I'm not worried about it. When he came in for dinner he didn't say anything about it; he hasn't called or texted me since. If he says anything else I'll have to gently tell him he's too young. But I think he's embarrassed, so I doubt he'll bring it up again.