When you're in middle school and friends, or at least friendly, with a girl, it doesn't take long for your friends to decide you're meant to be together. It's just the natural response of middle schoolers everywhere.

Usually, this natural response ends in two little seventh graders dating. Everyone, in this case the group of girls Julie belonged to, decides you should date and then you "date," or the closest thing to dating seventh graders can get.

But Julie didn't, doesn't, like doing the usual things. She refused to admit she liked me, if she even did, and then refused to go anywhere near me, no matter how much they tried. It was almost comical, in a messed up sort of way.

I didn't outright refuse, I didn't really care. I probably would've refused if she hadn't monopolized the whole refusing thing.

Actually, that's a lie. I didn't refuse because I had a little crush. Not that I would ever tell her, that girl was much too crazy to tell, but I didn't do anything to encourage or prevent her friends little plan.

Maybe I should've at least done something but that's the way things went.

"Eli!"

"Yes Christina?"

"Can I talk to you for a sec?"

"I guess."

"Do you like Julie?"

"Wow. Why don't you work up to the third degree first?"

"Just answer the question please."

"It's none of your business."

"Yes it is! You know how all of us want you and Julie to get together."

"I know that. I also know that Julie wants nothing less than to go out with me."

"Well if you like her we can convince her to like you."

"Convince her?"

"Yes, convince her. She'll agree soon."

"Two things: one, you seriously think that convincing someone to date another person they do not want to date is a good thing? Two, you seriously think you can convince Julie, the most stubborn person I have met like ever, to do something she really doesn't want to do?"

"Just tell me."

"No!"

"Say yes or no."

"No."

"Thank you!"

"Why do you seem so chipper? I said no."

"I know, but I can tell when you're lying. Everyone can, actually."

"And?"

"And you just lied."