I Hit Rock Bottom, Took Pictures, and I Came Back Already.

I feel bad for people who don't have friends. Granted, there's probably a reason why they don't have friends... Like, maybe they don't bathe. Or they dress up as their Dungeons and Dragons character at work. Or maybe their personality is so offensive that no one can stand to be around them. It's tough being perfect, but it's a line I toe on a daily basis.

The guys I date, however, do not. And whenever I get hurt, I have good friends who pick me right back up and set me straight (no pun intended).

At work, we have a huge parking lot. With more than 500 parking spaces, there's lots of room at night once all the guests have left. Working in the same place for almost four years now, the parking lot, and the building itself, hold a lot of memories. Tonight, I was reminded just how lucky I am to work with the people I do.

Upset about yet another douchebag using me as a back-up because he dumped me for a guy who won't take him back, who then hooked up with someone who's hugely obese and has a weird face, Amy and Jenn had to listen to my crying for a good half-hour, as a cold breeze swept the hilltop. Consoled, I came home to do laundry and found a text on my phone:

"From: Jenn
MSG: You r amazing. Love you."

That was the pick-me-up I needed.

It made me think about all the other times people have helped me, and there's one instance that stands out in my mind.

When I was 18, I met a boy who I liked, who begged to take me to dinner and a movie... and then took my virginity. Amazed by someone wanting to be close to me and physical with me, I rode the wave for 3 days... Until it became abundantly clear that he had no intention of calling me.

The following Saturday, I worked the opening shift in the movie theater. Maria noticed I was upset all afternoon and as my shift was ending, she reassured me that I deserve better than waiting by the phone for someone who won't call. A lesson I learned the hard way when I stayed up until 3 am waiting for the same guy to call me and say "good night."

I left work and made my way to the Bargain Bin at Circuit City (may it rest in peace). I picked up several movies. At the top of the pile was "Never Been Kissed," which had never been seen by me. I came home without a word to my parents, popped the movie into the DVD player, and curled up into the fetal position on my bed.

The scene where Drew Barrymore dances in her foyer at home to "Like a Prayer" by Madonna broke my heart. Here was this teenage girl (much like myself, only without a penis) who had never felt beautiful in her life. And when she got asked out by the most popular boy in school, she was ELATED. She had messed-up hair and poorly applied make-up, but no one had given her the time of day or shown her how to properly groom herself. She didn't have any emotional support and felt alone in the world.

But this boy, the one she put so much faith in and devoted so much affection to, she thought would change that.

Drew Barrymore... was wrong.

She leaves her house, only to have her expensive dress ruined by eggs, which the popular boy throws at her from his limo. Embarrassed, hurt, and alone, she runs into the night, to hide from her family. Rather than show weakness, she hides what she's feeling and puts on a brave face. Even though it's only a facade.

I could so identify with Josie Geller. The movie progressed to the climactic scene where Drew Barrymore reveals that she's a 25-year old undercover reporter, and not a high school kid, when my phone started to ring.

"Incoming call from: Maria"

A picture of my best friend pretending to move in for a kiss under some mistletoe appeared on the screen and I answered.

"H-h-hellooo..."

"Hey, Corey, how are you doing?"

"(Sniffle). Maria! They ruined Drew Barrymore's prom by throwing eggs at her! Then they tried dumping dog food on the nerdy girl, but Drew Barrymore stopped them! AND NOW, SHE'S GIVING A SPEECH."

"...What the fuck are you talking about?"

"(Sniffle). I'm w-w-watching 'N-Never Been Kissed...'"

Maria went on to explain that this guy I was crying over was an asshole and that chick flicks were gay. I love brutal honestly. And that's what I needed to hear.