I rejected my best friend...
My really close friend of 5 years asked me out last night. I had no idea she was going to and I was in complete shock when she did.
She said she has liked me for 5 years but because I was already going out with someone she decided not to ruin it. She also told since I broke up with my ex a couple of months ago her feelings got stronger for me.I really only think of her as a friend and shes also a good friend of my ex so I didn't want to date her since it might make things complicated.
When I said no I could see she was about to cry so I gave her a hug and she kept saying that shes fine. Then she said she wants to cut of contact with me for awhile without giving a reason....
What should I do? I'm really going to miss her company and miss talking to her but I'm not attracted to her (not that I'm shallow)
Your Best Friend Needed Companionship In Those Difficult Moments
Hello meko,
My heart goes out for your friend. I have been there and seen it happen, and so can feel exactly what she must have been feeling before she asked you out, and later when you said no.
She must have been going through difficult times during those moments; and her decision to ask you out - her best friend of five years - must most probably have been impulsive. This is just a guess of course, but what she really needed in those moments was companionship - a shoulder of support.
The unexpectedness of her request "shocked" you, as you put it, which is quite okay, given that you never ever harbored any feelings of attraction towards her.
The friend is perfectly right when she says she wants to cut off contact, because she now not only has to get over whatever difficult times she had been going through; she also has to now get over the apparent "rejection" from you.
Give her the time, and then may be contact her in the style you have always contacted her as friend for these past five years. Hopefully your matter-of-fact contact will signal to her that you have gotten over this particular episode, and make it easy for her to get back on track.
Best,
Rita.