aro-advice:

• ·      Someone asks if you’re dating anyone. You say no. they look at you with pity.
• ·         You try to fill out a form online. “Name of partner”, it asks. You look for the option for “none”. You can’t find it. “name of partner?” you can’t progress the form. “name of partner?” you can’t go back either.
• ·         You call the helpline. “oh, we’re very inclusive, we don’t mind if you list your same sex partner,” the chipper voice says. You try to explain you don’t have one. They don’t listen.
• ·         It is valentine’s day. It has been valentine’s day for weeks. Red rose petals litter the streets. Chalky candy hearts crunch under foot. It is valentine’s day.
• ·         “When you get married, you’ll understand,” they say. You don’t want to get married. “that’ll change when you get married.”
• ·         Someone asks if you’re dating someone. You say no. “Still nobody?”
• ·         Someone gives you two tickets to the movies. “Bring your partner!” You say you’ll bring a friend instead. They stare.
• ·         There are two places laid at the table in the restaurant. A double bed in the hotel room. Two towels in the bathroom. You leave your double’s space empty wherever you go. Sometimes you swear there’s something sitting in the empty seat.
• ·         They ask if you’re dating anyone. You tell them no. “are you sure you don’t want me to find you someone?”