Brokendown, thank you so much.

I'm the one who posted about the quality of the site, and I've got to tell you that I REALLY appreciate this feedback.

All the lovelies that you mentioned have honestly helped me out, and I appreciate it SO much. But there are definitely some on here, whose names I won't mention because that will give them the attention they crave, who have been real, well, assholes.


Thanks for not being one of them.

~Maddie

I don't want to know how you discovered the taste.

I suppose he/she had it coming...?

Unfortunately, our society teaches us (implicitly or explicitly) that we should all be able to make it on our own, and that asking for help is a sign of weakness. Yet, when we do something wrong or make a mistake, we'll be quick to contend that we're human, and thus imperfect. Well, given that that's true, shouldn't it be accepted that we're not able to do everything on our own?

"No man (or woman) is an island." That's why we live in families at home and at cliques at school, just like lions live in prides, wolves in packs, elephants in herds, etc, etc. Heck, girls rarely even go to the bathroom alone.

The point is, we, like most other animals, aren't supposed to carry on by ourselves. We need people to help uswhen our burdens get too heavy.

It's society that has it wrong. Not you. Ask for help.

Grow a pair, fess up to all the shit you've done, and let HER go. You're going to break her heart as much as it is--quit delaying the pain.

I guess it's appropriate that Chaplin is your avatar. You seem to be quite good at playing the tramp.

Good for you!!! Hope your easter break is awesome.

Wowwwwww. What an awful/incredible story! I'm so glad you're alive to tell it!!!

I would too.

Wow, talk about a difficult situation.

You sound like you're really concerned for her, and that's good. Sometimes, tough love is what works best in cases like these, especially since your encouragement doesn't seem to be getting through to her. Talk to her guidance counselor, one of her teachers, or even one of her parents, if the relationship is ok with them. She will probably resent you for it at first, but given some time she should come to realize that you did what you did out of love.

Sometimes, insecurities just grip a person, and no matter what they are told by the person they love, they'll just believe what they've programmed themselves to. That's when you need a third party to step in. Hope this helps.

Perhaps it's a thematic commentary on how the socioeconomic status of African Americans in urban communities requires attention and improvement? Or a statement that says positive race relations can exist between those of different ethnicities and backgrounds? Or that, with a little love and encouragement, even the most incorrigible child has a chance at being accepted by society, as opposed to being ostracized?

Maybe all three?