Holly Riordan

“The first person wheeled in… just didn’t seem to have a head. There was this bloody mass at the top of his neck but it didn’t look human.”

“That’s when I saw it. A skull floating in the water with just the eye sockets and part of the nasal cavity sitting there in the water looking right at me about 50 feet away. An immediate sense of dread took me. It was the most scared I’d ever been in my life. Then an even worse feeling took over — calmness and the sudden urge to jump in the water.”

Putting in effort means going out of his way to spend time with you. It’s not texting you when it’s convenient. It’s not asking you to come over at the last second when he’s bored and the rest of his friends are busy.

She wants something real. She’s ready for grocery shopping dates and his and her towels and board game nights with other couples. She’s ready to commit to something that could last a lifetime.

He doesn’t get annoyed when you spend time with other people. He actually encourages you to go to dinner with your friends, get drinks with your coworkers, and catch up with your family members — because he wants to see you happy.

She’s the type of girl that claims she’s fine even though she’s dying inside.

She shouldn’t have to convince you why she’s worthy of your time. You should already see her value. You should feel honored to have her in your life, because that’s how she feels about you.

When it’s two in the morning, and for some reason, you can’t fall asleep. For some reason, he’s the only thing on your mind.

Cancer: You thought you were special, but really, he acts the same way with everyone. You weren’t the only girl he was talking to. You were just one of many.

Since when did it become picky to want someone that will text back? Someone that will make you feel special? Someone that will stay the night after sex?

They don’t need you. They’ve learned to live without love. So if they choose to be with you, it’s because they’re serious about you. Because they believe you’re worth all the risks.

When I ignore your texts or tell you I’m too busy to hang out, I don’t feel guilty, like I’m hurting someone I love. I feel like I’m doing you a favor. Like I’m saving you from the horrors of having to be my friend.

You didn’t grow up seeing your parents plant kisses on each other and say, “I love you” before leaving the house. Affection is foreign to you. That’s why you’re so uncomfortable with PDA.

Does he actually care?

You post hot Instagram pictures in the hopes that he’ll see them. And if you think you’re going to run into him, you put a little extra effort into your appearance. You tell yourself that you’re trying to make him jealous, show him what he’s missing. But really, you’re hoping he decides he wants you back.

Settling is waking up next to someone, just because you can’t stand falling asleep alone. Settling is texting them about your big news, because you don’t have anyone else to talk to.

When she tells you about her tattoo, she’s giving you a piece of herself. She’s exposing her soul. She’s cracking open her heart.

You can text him first. You can kiss him first. It’s not desperate. It’s brave.