Nice Guy Chronicles IX

It's crazy to see people begin to settle down, it's a natural process of life
However it's just crazy when you look at people you've known forever begin to change and mature

Life has happened to everyone and I found myself being 'the single friend'

I really didn't notice until one day, I was at a get together and I was literally the only single person there. It didn't bother me though because I've grown really comfortable with myself. Also seeing happy people makes me happy.

Now the thing is 'the single friend' tends to be disliked by everyones girlfriend. It's understandable why but in my case, unless they are great actors, they seem to be fond of me.

However the thing is, I do also sense a bit of an animosity from the guys side.

I live in my own world a lot but I never realized that my life bothered others so much.

Over the years, my life fell apart then I just decided to focus on getting it back up. I worked more and when I didn't I just did things which I wanted. Dating wasn't a priority.

It took some time but my esteem did pick up again. Meanwhile everyone lived their lives and started to settle down.

One weekend I got invited over to my friends new place. He and his girlfriend and got a new place together.

Their reception was warm and at some point, his girlfriend left us to catch up.

'Dude why don't you have a girlfriend yet?' My friend asked

He began to present the girlfriend brochure. This reminded me of network marketers. What I found Ironic is that this person has played with people's feelings before.

'look at my house, it looks good doesn't it?'

'Yeah' I replied suspiciously

'Well it's all because of her.... You see I've grown because of her, this is why you should get a girlfriend'

Now granted his life has been better, but honestly I've never felt so offended in my life. He hogged on for the time I was with him.

If we ran into a girl on the road he'd literally pull a 'why not ask that girl out?'

I could take it if his tone was humorous but he was dead serious.

So here I was the single person at the get together but honestly it wasn't a romantic situation. Conversations were flowing and everyone was having fun.

The morning after, some of the guys met up. In the morning conversation one guy remarked:

'well you know my girlfriend was talking about you yesterday. She really likes you'

I only met this guy the day before yet he was really comfortable. There was a contrast between a stranger and the person I had known for some time.

This left me questioning though, what really was up? When you're single you do get the occasional 'why are you single'

Yet it's never been this rampant from one person. In my time when I focused on my myself, I started to think that maybe my friends might outgrow me.

However in a funny way I think I just outgrew some of my friends.

It wasn't enough that I am happy, I had to fit into everyones pace of life. You know after school none of us progress at the same pace and I think people forget that.

I honestly haven't grown cynical towards love. Even though it has had more downs than ups for me. Yet I'm still an optimist.

My singleness seems to bother people though.

I've just reached that point in which if people can't reciprocate how I'm there for them through it all. Then it's time to get rid of them.