Truth be told: I’m just not interested.

I don’t care if you don’t hit women or drink or smoke. I have bigger fish to fry right now.

I’m not going to tell you that I would rather we were just friends or how I’m not ready for a relationship at this moment in time.

I’m beyond trying to make you feel comfortable while I squirm.

If you want your ego protected, maybe I’m not the right person to talk to.

If you try to shower me with lavish gifts or cheesy compliments, I will take them because I was raised to have manners over malice.

Be under no illusion: I can not be bought. How you choose to spend your money is entirely your choice, not my un-doing.

I will not take responsibility for you getting the wrong idea by thinking I gave you the wrong impression anymore.

I was friendly, not a flirt; it’s your problem if you mistake the two.

And when you feel you’ve played your best hand, and I still haven’t been made aware a game of poker was at play, I will stand tall and firm as I say,

“I’m just not interested.”

I will fight the urge to stick a sympathizing ”sorry” in there.

I’m not sorry.

I’m simply not interested, and that does not require an apology.

If you fail to hear me or assume that I don’t know what’s best for me, I will simply walk away.

I will let my words echo through the crevices of your mind until they find a place to land.

I am not a girl anymore.

I am a woman, and even my smallest whisper can be a roar.