Loveless

by Alice Oseman

“My friend said I don’t have to do anything. He said all I need to do is be.”

“Give your friendships the magic you would give a romance. Because they’re just as important.

Actually, for us, they’re way more important.”

Platonic Magic.

“How come you know me better than anyone?” she asked.

when it came to Pip, she had the emotional intelligence of a single grape.

everyone’s silly messages in the group chat—it was just joy. Pure joy. And it took me so long to feel like I deserved that. But I do!

you’re my friend. And you’re one of the best people I know. So you do deserve that. You deserve joy.”

“And I like it when you overshare!”

“Why are we being all emotional?” “I don’t know. ...

I almost felt like I belonged to something just by being there.

I spent a long time thinking this was the way things had to be—I had to survive on my own, I had to do everything on my own, because nobody would ever help me.

Sunil smiled down at Jess, and Jess smiled back at him, and there was such genuine love in that gaze. I felt dazzled by it.

It’s about the relationships we form here. Friendship, love, and support while we’re all trying to survive and thrive in a world that often doesn’t feel like it was made for us.

most of us here felt a sense of unbelonging while we were growing up.”

And it’s those relationships that make Pride Soc so important and so special. It’s those relationships that, despite all of the hardships in our lives, will continue to bring us joy every single day.” He raised his glass. “And we all deserve joy.”

The love in that hug. The knowing look between them. They had their own love story. That was what I wanted.

I used to dream of a spellbinding, endless, forever romance. A beautiful story of meeting a person who could change your whole world. But now, I realized, friendship could be that too.

“I love you so much and … trying to date you was the worst thing I’ve ever done.” Jason stopped walking.

That’s the sort of person you are. It made me feel certain that you truly cared about me. And I guess that’s when I started … you know, falling for you.”

still care about you that much,”

“That’s partly why I needed some space away from you. To get over you.”

“Did you get over me?” “I … I’m trying. It’s going to take time. But I’m trying.”

You really thought we could be together, because you do love me. Not in a romantic way, but just as strongly.

You’re still my best friend.”

“You and me not being a couple doesn’t change that at all. I haven’t lost anything, just ...

“You’re OK with—with just being friends?”

‘Just friends’ makes it sound like being friends is worse. I think this is better, personally, considering how terrible that kiss was.”

“Because if I stay here,” she snapped, “then I’ll have to sit and think about everything all night, and I can’t do that. I can’t just sit and be with my thoughts.”

“Why do you care about me?”

“You’re my friend,” I said, standing by the door.

I just kept thinking … as long as he was happy, then I must be living my dream. This was love. He was my soulmate. This was what everyone wanted.”

hoped she felt safe with me.

one of my favorite people I had ever met.

“All in the spirit of love,” replied Sunil, slinging an arm round Jess. He was right, I supposed. All of this was for love, in one way or another.

was still so bad at having deep conversations or talking about my emotions in any way that it took a few minutes

Should I just say it? Should I find an article for her to read? Should I just drop this whole topic because she’d never understand?

“Georgia.” Pip smiled, a little exasperated. “You’re not weird.”

She was the first person who’d said that to me.

Maybe, little by little, I could start to believe that I was OK.

“Aro-Ace. Defender of the universe.” “OK, I hate that.” “Come on. You like space.”

I always felt, like … uncomfortable when I tried to have feelings for anyone.

Jason. I knew I didn’t like him like that because when we tried to do anything romantic, it just felt … wrong.

how do you know you won’t find someone one day?”

“Because I know myself. I know what I feel and … what I have the capability to feel, I think.”

You just know that about yourself. And now I know too.”

everything seemed a little brighter when my best friends were around.

“Because I love you,” I said, “and you deserve magical moments like that.”