**Diary Entry – 12th October**
Bloody hell, how could he not notice me? That’s all Emily could think as she touched up her lips in the mirror, fuming. Well, the office Christmas party’s coming up—that’ll be my chance.
Emily’s always been the sort who turns heads. We’ve been mates since uni—she’s 32, polished, and knows how to work a room. Blokes glance her way without fail, and at our small IT firm, she’s the marketing department’s golden girl. Always dressed sharp, cracking jokes that even the stone-faced boss chuckles at.
Then James joined the team. Tall, decent bloke, well-mannered—right up Emily’s alley. But here’s the rub: he didn’t seem to notice her flirting. She asked him for coffee—he politely brushed her off, said he was busy. Next, she “accidentally” shared the lift with him, babbling away, but he just smiled and stepped out.
“Am I too perfect for him?” she grumbled in my office after another failed attempt, reapplying her lipstick like she was gearing up for battle. “Is he gay or something? How can anyone ignore me?” I laughed. “Maybe he’s just shy. Or has a girlfriend?” But Emily wasn’t having it. “No, Tom, I’ve seen how he talks to others. With me? Nothing!”
The Christmas party was her master plan. New dress, stylist appointment, even schemed to sit near him. “That’ll crack him,” she declared.
Come the night, Emily was stunning—scarlet dress, flawless makeup, radiant. Every bloke noticed. Except James. He danced with others, joked with the lads, but never approached her. I watched her smile tighten.
Then I spotted him on the balcony with our mate Oliver. They were laughing, deep in conversation—until James slung an arm over Oliver’s shoulder. Emily went pale. “Tom… did you see that?” she hissed. I shrugged. “Could just be mates.” But she’d already made up her mind.
Afterward, she was more embarrassed than upset. “All that effort, and he’s not even into women.” Later, we found out James was indeed seeing someone—a bloke. Emily groaned, then laughed. “Well, that explains it! And here I was thinking it was me.”
Now she jokes it taught her not to assume too much. She still flirts, but less forcefully. Oddly, her and James get on well now—turns out he’s a great lad, just not her type.
Moral? Confidence’s good, but never mistake indifference for a challenge. And for God’s sake, read the room.
