Is this a hickey or a bruise?

Oh hickeys.

I have such mixed feelings about them.

I've only gotten hickeys on three occasions, and only given them on 2. And in case you hadn't gathered, I'm not stranger to making out. So maybe its strange that I don't have a huge affinity for them.

Actually, it wasn't until this calendar year that I even allowed them to be given to me or have given them out myself. Beginning... oh, March I believe? That was when I got my first hickey. Well, my first two. Eh hem.

It was when Drew and I made out, for kicks and giggles. You know, Charlie, my ex, 's best friend? Yeah, that. Annnnyways, he told me while we were going at it that he likes giving and getting hickeys, and I let him know right off that I am not a fan. It didn't really stop him. A few minutes later, he was going for it, and within a brief period of time, I had two matching hickeys, one on either side of my neck, below my ears. They weren't massive, but I will grant him, they sure were colorful. Apparently I bruise pretty easily... just for future reference.

Drew wanted me to give him one, but I said no. Particularly because I was already feeling slightly guilty about making out with him behind Charlie's back, and also because I still didn't see the allure... I hadn't really enjoyed getting them just then.

The second time I got a hickey was when Duke and I used to hook up. He was a boob man... yep. He liked boobs. And he used to get dangerously close to mine. One night, after our "festivities," I was looking in the mirror, assessing the damage, and saw a not-too smallish bruise sitting low upon my chest. Yep. The boy tried to give me a hickey on my boob. And just about half succeeded. Weird.

Also, Duke is the first guy I actually gave a hickey to. I wasn't even sure at the time if it had even bruised sufficiently, but decided to go for it anyways. And this time, I didn't find it disgusting. Go figure. ;)

Did I mention I had a class with Duke? Because I did.

Did I also mention that two days after that night, in said class, he gave a presentation for a project, and I just so happened to notice a slightly-pulled up collar around his neck? Yeah, it was like 85 degrees outside, buddy. No need to wear a jacket. Imagine my pleasant surprise when I saw a small hickey right there, on the left side of his neck, barely concealed by the collar of that jacket of his.

And then, then is when I realized how satisfying it is to see your hard work on display in a manner such as "The Hickey."

The last time I received one/gave one was when Charlie and I last made out, roughly a month ago. He gave me what is easily... the BIGGEST freakin hickey I have ever seen.

Remember how I went back home to visit a couple days after that?

Well, there's only so many times you can tell your family that you burned yourself with a curling iron. Especially when your sister-in-law raises her eyebrows at you questioningly, then tells you that the "burn" looks just like "a freaking huge hickey" and all you can do is act exasperated and try to laugh it off, like you think its funny in a feeble attempt to not give yourself away.

In other news, I've started hanging out with this one new kid in my ward. I know, I know, I need to stop "peeing in the pool," so to speak. Nothing good ever seems to come of it.

No worries, I'm not jumping into anything. I also have a date lined up for next week with a friend of mine, who I also happened to think is easily the most attractive man I have ever met. You know, he actually hasn't gotten any action since he came home from his mission nearly a year and a half ago. Terribly surprising.

I just wanna say... I would like to volunteer to be the one to break that streak.

I will TAKE that challenge.

Til later, lovers. XOXO. TC