Dear Boy,

I am sorry. I am sorry you want to date me. Believe me, you really don't want to. No one's perfect, but I've got baggage. Too much for your innocent mind to handle. Your life has been easy. So....I don't want to say perfect but yours is close. I won't ruin that.

At the forefront of my refusal, however, is that I simply lack feelings of that sort for you. You're a fun guy, I enjoy being your friend, but I cannot imagine our friendship progressing beyond where it is right now. I've thought many times about dating you, it's been suggested often. I remember Stanton walking up to me in 7th grade and asking me out for you. Of course, I thought he was just being typical asshole Stanton and instigating an awkward situation. But, I remember seeing you bend your head down over your desk when I said no.

Four years is long time to have a crush on someone. I get the feeling that I'm your first crush. Please understand, first crushes generally amount to nothing. Mine did. From the time I noticed boys until the summer after 8th grade I had a crush on the same boy. Now, two relationships later and even before then, I no longer have any romantic feelings towards him. Things like that fade. If I just leave it be, let it be a crush, you'll recover from it with no lasting damage. If I start a relationship with you I will break your heart. I will be the worst thing to ever infringe upon your life.

Lastly, I'm simply not over someone else. It would not be fair to you in the slightest for me to attempt to date you whilst I'm still in love with someone else. You're a nice guy and there are plenty of nice girls out there who would date you and give you the love and affection that I simply cannot.

I apologize for any pain I'll cause you when I tell you this face to face.
Forgive me.