They don’t understand what I see in you. I’m not sure why that bothers me, but it does. Look, I don’t care they find me odd because I’d rather curate my collection than play football with them. Or anything else, really. Just you, and that rankles. Yes, I know I should be braver, surer. But I’m not, OK? Deal with it. Eff eff es, nobody’s perfect. And you are a bit clingy and demanding when I come to think about things. Listen, this hurts me more than it hurts you. We’re through.
.
Friday fictioneers is a weekly challenge set by Rochelle Wisoff Fields to write a 100-word story in response to a photo prompt. You can find other stories here
Neil MacDonald Author 
If there’s even a whisper of anxiety about what other people think, they’re best apart.
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He’s talked himself into this one
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I must say, the way men break up, I’ve never been able to understand.
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I’m not sure it’s that different from the way women break up
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Sadly to hurt is a very human thing,
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Sadly, it is
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Dear Neil,
Sad that what others think means so much…it does, doesn’t it?
Shalom,
Rochelle
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We are social animals, and that makes us vulnerable to manipulation
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You may get two comments pretty much the same from me. I fleetingly forgot that it’s not at as simple as pressing the comment button any more, you have to go through a million hoops and clicks to get your thoughts across. Anyway, I commented on the way we let others dictate our actions, and I complimented you on the slightly cranky, slightly weird voice in this piece. Now I’m off to click a dozen or more buttons and enter endless passwords to try to despatch this.
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Thanks so much, Sandra
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Oh, the trials and tribulations of hippo love! I can dig it!
Nicely told, Neil.
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Thanks so much
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It’s not you, it’s me. Or rather it’s my perception of what others think of me. Oh, woe is me…
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Exactly
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An interesting train of though that about-turned midway!
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Derailed, I’d say
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What others think is too important to almost all of us. We have to do what makes us happy regardless. Loved your story. Describes the human condition.
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Thanks so much
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A textbook case of ambivalence. Nice “eff eff es.” I like you leaving the reader wondering what/who he is leaving behind.
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Thanks so much, Jade
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You’re very welcome, Neil.
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breaking up is hard to do, but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do.
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It seems so
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That was the most awkward and uncertain breakup ever. It felt like he decided to do it in the middle of talking, almost a stre of consciousness breakup. I hope she takes it well. It looks like she could easily crush him.
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Yes, it wasn’t what he started out intending
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There is never an easy way to say you’ve had enough, no matter how much it hurts. Goodbye and good riddance, maybe.
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Especially when it’s never what you initially intended to say
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Oooo wow, there’s a rapid thought process for you. Talked into and out of an idea before it could fully form. Anxiety in 100 words. Well done.
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Thanks so much, Laurie
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I suspect the speaker is as much surprised as the (soon to be ex) partner. Or is this an electorate making an ill-considered choice?
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You’re absolutely right, Patrick. He didn’t expect to end up there
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At the end of the day, I think it did bother him. We all like to think other people’s opinions don’t matter, but often they do. He talked himself into breaking it off. I loved the voice in this one.
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Thanks so much, Brenda
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I also like the voice; it says a lot about the character. Perhaps he isn’t ready to be in a relationship at this time.
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Thanks so much, Angela
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Oh boy I’d hate to have been the one on the receiving end of that breakup. That was a whirlwind change of mind. Brilliantly done, Neil.
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Thanks so much. Margaret
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His partner can be glad to get rid of him. He puts the blame on her, what a wuss. Nicely done.
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Thanks so much
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You can talk yourself out of any relationship. He seems to have it down pat.
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Thanls for reading, Dawn
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