WHOS THE ONE REJECTED?!

Can friendship surpass rejection?!




One disappointment in my life is the numbers of friends I have lost in the past. Friendships that have gone down the drain over something little as rejection.
Its somehow easier for me to make guy friends then chick friends. I’m not sure what it is; maybe because I grew up somewhat of a tomboy; maybe I have more things in common with a guy, or just maybe I have more chemistry with them. Whatever the case may be, my thoughts of having guy friends is slowly moving towards it being negative.
About 6 years ago, I lost my first best friend. Of course, he was a guy. To other people, he may seem rude. Really outspoken and disrespectful. But to me, he was a hero. I owe this guy a lot. He helped me through my very first heartbreak. He saw me at a party one night crying in the hallway. The only thing he asked me was, “are you ok?” Of course I said that I was fine, then he went back to what he was doing. He then recognized me at a different event, and from that moment on, we became the best of friends. We talked every night about problems, mainly mines. About my feelings from the breakup, about things I should let go, about things I should learn. I think if it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t have the strength I have today. He felt like a brother to me. Someone who protected me in every way possible. He encouraged me to step out of the shadow and let me be me. I smile just thinking about him today.
So where did it go wrong?! Well one day, he out of the blue asked me, “when are we gonna hook up?!” I of course took it as a joke, because why ?! I’ve known this guy for almost 2 years and suddenly he wants to “hook up”? Of course, constant questioning and rejection led to distance. I never heard from him again. Can you imagine losing the closest friend over something so stupid as rejection?! Can’t a friendship outlast rejection?!
I saw him again, two years later, before I moved to San Diego. I had to say goodbye. Like I said, I owe him. We hung out for a day, and some things, I suppose, never change. He was still hitting on me. A lot more aggressive this time. I suppose because we were all grown up. I finally had to ask him why?! Why the sudden admiration. He told me many many things that I don’t even think are half true. But of course, I had to say NO. How can I feel for someone I once thought of as a brother?! I just didn’t see him in that way. And that was the end of that…..never heard from him since…probably never will….
I am not even going to count how many guys after that…I have lost. The number is a bit depressing. Not sure if I should feel flattered or disgusted. I am afraid that I’m in the verge of losing another. A friend that made his feelings for me pretty clear today.

How do you turn someone down without hurting them?! Is it not possible to have opposite sex friends?! When a person get rejected, do they not care about the other person’s feelings as well?! Is the person getting rejected always the victim?!