Author's Note: This is a completely true story. Please do no belittle me for my opinions, or my handling of this situation. It has taken a lot for me to admit this story.
Today, as I logged onto Whyville, I was greeted with a survey regarding dating, and relationships. I was a little taken back. Is Whyville going to allow online dating? I took the survey, answering every question to the best of my abilities. The questioner really made me think about my own Whyville dating catastrophe, and I think it's time I share it.
During my first few weeks on Whyville, I didn't make many friends. I was energetic, I wore bright colors and crazy hairstyles, and I was young. Just having turned 11, I had never had a boyfriend, let alone an online relationship.
One early Saturday morning, I stopped by the kinematic attic, in search of face factory vouchers. As I waited, a girl in a white wedding dress entered the room. "OMG, I'm getting MARRIED!!" She told me. I was shocked. "Really?" I said. "Yah. AND I'm pregnant!" What was she talking about? Dating, marriage, and even pregnancy on Whyville? This was crazy. She continued to tell me how her and the "love of her life" met, and dated for a whole two weeks before he proposed. I listened intently; astounded by her every word.
So of course I, crazily, began dating on Whyville. Every "cute" guy I saw I talked to. I went to school, informing my friends of a new "boyfriend" I had almost every day. It was all happening so fast. Then one day, I met Chase.
Chase was definitely one of the most popular people I had ever seen on Whyville. Upon entering the Grotto, I spotted a group of about seven people talking to him at once. His jet black hair hung down in his eyes, and his huge smile took up most of his face. I decided to talk to him. "Hey . . ." I said nervously. "Hey! What's up?" He answered sincerely. We ended up talking about music for an hour that day.
Although he was 14, Chase didn't treat me like a little kid. He always greeted me warmly, and nicknamed me "Smiley".
He was smart, funny, and good looking. He always knew exactly what to say. He wrote me stories about us, and what our future would be like together. He said that he would sneak out in the night, find me, and kiss me in the moonlight, just like in those sappy Taylor Swift songs. He told me he loved me, even when I didn't love myself. Chase was the perfect guy.
It's hard to describe my bond with Chase. He was my best friend, and confidant. We grew so very close; it was hard for me to find any flaw with him.
We dated for a while, and I was ecstatic. I became part of "the group", and grew strong bonds with all kinds of people. Once, my closest friend told me she had "made out" with her Whyville boyfriend. I felt like in order to get even closer to Chase, we should make out too. That day, I naively told him how I felt. "Dani, I'm sorry. I don't think I can do that." He said. I was frustrated. "Why not?" I asked. "I don't want to hurt you. You're so young. I love you so much, but I can't do that. I'm so sorry." He told me.
Even after we broke up, we still remained great friends. He kept me in his City Records, calling me his "own, personal sunshine that radiates happiness wherever she goes". I still loved him.
Eventually, the day came Chase told me he wanted to quit Whyville. "Dani, the way my life is right now . . . I just can't stay on Whyville." That was one of the last things he told me. The day came, that I logged on to Whyville, much like I did today, to find that Chase had quit. It was that same day, one of mine and his closest friends informed me Chase was a fourteen year old girl.
I didn't know what to do. I had given myself to this person, that was simply a fraud. I thought we had so much in common. I thought we would be together forever. I thought I loved "Chase".
Of course I was angry. Why couldn't she have just said she was a girl? If she had just been honest, I think we could have been good friends.
I never discovered Chase's real name. I never got to ask her why she would ever lie to so many people, and manipulate my young mind.
I now log on to Whyville every day without a group of amazing people who care for me, and without someone to call me Smiley. I will never Why-date again, and I encourage all Whyvillians to take the same vow. No matter how close you feel to your online boyfriend/girlfriend, you will never know their true self.
-Elphie1
