December
19
Do you remember when everyone was on AOL? That was the system we all used to reach the internet. We all had screen names and email through the service and if you didn’t you were so behind the times.
What I really remember was spending hours on AOL (which was dial up back then) talking to boys in the Orlandom4m room. Of course my friend West and I used a phone service before AOL brought us into the internet to meet boys for dating.
My sister had AOL and she let create a screen name on her account. I tried to come up with tons of names but could never pick one I liked. It wasn’t until I met a guy on AOL did my screen name come to me.
I was young and wasn’t use to dating or dealing with men. I thought they were all honest, truthful and wanting the best. Not realizing I was young and naive and the boys could tell. I ran into men pretending to be younger than they were (like 15 years younger), men just interested in sex (could you believe it?) and boys who were just playing games.
I met OrlStud77. He was an older guy, by a whole year, and was funny and sweet online. We talked for weeks. He sent me pictures and he was a good looking guy. He happened to go to Rollins College where I had always dreamed of attending so I was jealous and wanted to know all about it.
We had great conversations until 2 or 3 in the morning. He always wanted to meet in person but I was scared to do it. He always want me to come over to his house which made me feel creepy and I am glad I trusted my instincts. Finally one day I decided to meet him at the mall. At that age, the mall was where life happened for me back then.
I was so nervous I didn’t know what to do. It took me hours to decide on the perfect pair of jeans and t shirt to wear. I remember it being cold but decided not to wear a jacket because I looked better without one. I drove to mall and waited on the bench in front of Structure. I was 15 minutes early so I wouldn’t miss him…
…After one hour and 15 minutes passed, I realized he was not coming. Of course I didn’t have a cell phone back there or even his number to call. I honestly do not think I had my pager yet. I just sat and waited and learned how it felt to be stood up. I was devastated.
When I returned home, I sign on to find him. It would a whole day before he signed on again. I asked him what happened and he said something came up. I knew from his response he was lying and our regular conversations became short and he was no longer interested in me.
A friend of mine online asked me what was bothering me because he could tell I had been hurt. I explained what had happened with OrlStud77 and he told me that he was known to do this often. He was a flirt and tease and he loved to get guys interested and then blow them off. I felt bad.
I talked to my friend West about what had happened and how disappointed I was. I was no longer going to be online. West inspired me once again by reminding me that not all guys on there have to be like him. We were on their so there has to be nice guys like us as well. West then said, “Who cares about that stud because you are the real Orlando stud.”
With that conversation I reinvented myself. There was my screen name OrlStud78. He would be known as the stud who stood guys up and I would be the stud with the heart of gold.
Now as an adult I see how crazy I was to copy his name but when you are young and hurt, you do not always make the best choices. It was fun though and it helped me to not allow someone else take away my fun or my search for love. Within a year or so I changed my name again which is still the AIM name I use today.
I was so lucky to have West as my best friend to help me through the beginning of dating. He took me under his wing. It really wasn’t luck but being blessed. Blessed to have West help me out, believe in me and support me.
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