This one girl has been sending me romantic flirty music, sharing intimate things about her life and thoughts with me, not turning down my flirts, giving out her number to me, adding me on socials.

Yet each time I made a move the response would be vague. It would always allow for reasonable doubt. She would never turn me down, but also never give a direct yes. This left me in a loop of justifying her actions "she's shy", "she needs me to be bolder", "I didn't make the right move", "I pushed too hard".

Yet she would continue the behaviour I detailed above. She would give me just enough to make me believe there was a chance - not only a chance but a good chance.

It's not that I had complete oneitis. I was dating someone else. But I really liked this girl.

There are women who will waste your time. Sirens. Attention vampires. And it's an evolutionary strategy, really. If you're a somewhat suitable partner, they'll give you enough to keep you on their bench as a back-up plan. No need to get angry at this fact. It is what it is.

I learned a lesson I should have learned a long time ago. Make the bold move sooner, much sooner. And if you receive anything but a yes, she's a time waster. It's amazing the mental gymnastics a man's mind will do to give himself hope.

I wasted so much time on trying to move things further along with this girl. I was genuinely interested in her, but I wanted more. And she knew it, so it's not like I was being a typical nice-guy. I just continued to pursue when I should have quit long ago.