Hello queens! I just wanted to share a little story that had happened to me recently.So, back in high school, I had a male friend, and we were pretty close. At first, it was completely platonic, but then he developed romantic/sexual feelings for me (as almost all men that I've been friends with). It started off with him as being sweet and caring to becoming uncomfortably upfront and pushy (tried to force a kiss on me etc). I couldn't wrap my head around that, because I've never shown the slightest interest in him + he knew what my type is etc, and he's the complete opposite lookswise. He'd also begin to act really weird, like giving me a dumbass nickname indicating that I was his (???), save my pictures, ask me to date him MULTIPLE TIMES even after being rejected. I was extremely sad, disappointed, and betrayed. I also was really uncomfortable, so I decided to end this friendship. I am a HUGE people pleaser, so it was hard for me, but I started to slowly communicate less and less to the point of not communicating at all. He'd still follow me on social media and occasionally message me, trying to blame me for ending this friendship and that we'd still be cool if it wasn't for me. After I ignored all of that and was very dry via text, he unfollowed me everywhere (yet still stalks my pages), deleted all his comments, and took away all his likes on my social media, DELETED OUR ENTIRE TEXT MESSAGES IN AN APP starting like from grade 10?? so that I don't even have those messages anymore??? Weird ass shit. Also, from time to time he'd message me and try to flex with this new job that pays a lot. Like sir?? A lot of money won't change the fact that you're shitty and I don't like you.

Anyways, recently he messaged me again somewhere far past midnight. I was sleeping at that time, so I saw the message in the morning. It was something along the lines that he was feeling nostalgic, has remembered me, and decided to text me. It was also after I posted a new picture on my socials. I gave extremely dry replies, and then he started to say that he'll be coming over to my city for work and it would be great to hang out. The fucking audacity? As if I want that and as if I don't have anything better to do. He was also using a lot of laughing emojis which was weird. I didn't know what to text him. I thought about telling that I'm sorry but I'm busy with work and friends etc, but then I stopped myself and thought. What is it exactly that I'm sorry about? I simply don't want to do this. I don't want to see him, I don't want to waste my time on him, I don't want to do any of this shit. So I said that I don't think that I'll be able to and wished him a nice time in the city. I know that I should have simply said no or better block and delete, but I'm proud of myself, even if it's a little bit of progress. I'm a huge people pleaser and I have a hard time saying no to people, I always feel like I shouldn't hurt someone's feelings. But fuck that. I will work on myself in order to be able to simply say NO, but for now I'm so happy with a little bit of progress, and it's all thanks to you.

Also, could you please give some tips on how to say no and be more assertive? (especially with men)