See, that works for me: denying him the attention he wants. Them's some words to live by when it comes to cutting people out. Well said, you!

Talking to both of them at once is actually a great idea.

Damn you and your common sense! That's exactly the advice I would give a friend, but it didn't occur to me because I'm a masochistic jackass. Seeing someone else say it in black and white (or gray and white, because kinja) actually helps. Thanks.

You sound awesome! You should definitely be proud.

I hope you had fun over here!

It sounds like you still want to hang out with them, so could have go out places with them or have them over to your place? In public, scenes would (hopefully) be less likely to happen, and either way at least there won't be guns being shot.

You reached out to people for support (yay Saturday Night Social!). That's a big deal in terms of dealing with things. Be proud of yourself for knowing that they're wrong and horrible, and for talking about it.

I suggest looking for a pro-bono lawyer; I'm sure a shelter for abused women would be able to recommend someone.

Dude is a jackass fuckwit. I totally get wanting to fuck him but feeling like he doesn't deserve it: I had a fuck buddy for a year who was an unfortunate human being. Still, you get to be as selfish as you want in bed, and not give a damn what he thinks about you or the sex. I say just straight up tell him you…

Good for you! This is some fucking inspirational stuff right here! *also sends a high five*

Your friend shouldn't be violating your confidences like that, that's just taking a ride on the train to UnCool. At the very least she should do the classic, "She told me not to tell anyone, so don't mention it" to her boyfriend. Still uncool and shitty friend behavior, but at least you're not confronted with her…

CONGRATULATIONS!

I loved casual dating. LOVED CASUAL DATING. My rule is that if neither of us is in love then there's no point in being monogamous. And I also talk about our relationship goals before we get attached to each other, so that we don't commit and then realize we don't have long term potential. That works for me because…

If you got the fellowship would your work change enough to be fulfilling?

I'm so sorry you had to go through that. **internet stranger hugs** Are you feeling any better?

I get the impression he thinks we can talk through this, and I think I've explained that I just need to not talk to him, but I'm not positive that I emphasized that I meant it, ya know?

Okay, that's what I thought, but it's so unlike him to be manipulative that I was really reluctant to believe it. Thanks for the validation! :-)

Holy shit snacks, that's some truly terrible fuckwittery right there.

If he messages again I will definitely be more blunt with the, "No, this is really our last communication. Any more feelings you feel the urge to share you need to talk about with someone else." In my mind I've made that clear, but I most likely left it sort of open ended. Being blunt about the boundaries would…

I can have them sent directly to Trash, but honestly I'd look for them. Hence, dramatic high school freshman. I'm kind of using the anger to boost the falling-out-of-love process. Even just thinking "He didn't message today, but I guess he's just waiting to weeks again so I can be blind sided by his name in my…