Follow the leader is all fun and games until you’re the follower and you’re being led on.

A game is simply a game. But feelings, whether it be simple intrigue or complex love, should not be played with. It’s not a game. There are no rules for how to go about controlling or messing with another person. There is not a single rule that would make it a fair game.

Sometimes, people truly don’t realize what they’re doing. They might just be an “extra friendly” person. Or, they may need the reassurance that there’s someone out there that cares about them. Regardless, we all need to take a step back and look at our friendships/relationships. Is there anywhere you may be giving someone the wrong impression? If you even hesitate about one (or maybe more), then please, for the other person’s sake, be cautious. If you feel as though you are the one being led on, then stand up for yourself. You deserve better.

Humans are a sensitive species. We need to take care of each other, not hurt each other. We need to be honest with one another. For now, I’m specifically referring to our feelings (or lack thereof). Our lives are short. I don’t care how much of a cliché that is because it is so true and vital.

There isn’t enough time to toy with others’ emotions or to hold back how you feel because you’re “scared how they’ll take it” or because you don’t want them to be mad or hate you or be sad. It’s much harder for someone to get their hopes up time after time again, year after year, only to find out they never even had a chance in the first place.

So, please, don’t make it into a game. There will be no winners in the end.