How to move on after a terrible dating experience?

[Anonymous]

We're triplets, me (17 F) and my two brothers. From an early age, they were always protective of me, even though we're all the same age.

I was suppose to meet up with a date yesterday after school at a park. My brothers came along and stayed several feet near the area, said they'll stop by if anything is wrong.

The guy seemed between 18-20 years old, a college student. All was ok until he brought some home baked chocolate cookies he made and kept insisting to try them after I told him ''No, I'm full but will try them later in the evening''. Suddenly he mildly grabbed my right arm, opened the bag and told me to please eat them all, how he took all his valuable time to made them for me. I asked why, why are you insisting too much? My brothers showed up moments later and asked if there was a problem, introducing themselves to him.

My date got upset, asking what's up with bringing my brothers, what are they doing here, took his cookie bag and left muttering angrily, kicking an empty soda on the ground. I haven't heard from him since. He ghosted and blocked me. Needless to say I'm shocked at what just happened. Definitely up to no good. I'm suspecting he attempted something bad with those cookies. My head is going in circles, imagining the worst, how someone wanted to hurt me, an attempt against me made. I feel sick to know someone tried to harm me. How to move on from this bad dating experience?

Updates

1 y

I hated the way he insisted me to eat the cookies. I didn't want them at the moment. Plus, I'm really not much into sweets either.

[Oliverlogan263]

Oh wow sis, that sounds awful! I'm so glad your brothers were close by because that whole cookie situation was super creepy and not okay. Don't beat yourself up though - you followed your gut feeling that something wasn't right.

The good news is you got out of there safely. Now it's time to take care of yourself. Here's what I think will help:

- Remind yourself it says everything about HIM and nothing about you. His actions were wrong.

- Lean on your friends/family - let out your feelings through talking or fun distraction like movies. You're not alone.

- Block and delete - lose his number/accounts so he can't get back in your head.

- Be patient with yourself as you process this unsettling experience. Don't dwell on what-ifs.

- When ready, put yourself back out there. Most guys are good, so don't write them all off.

- Trust your instincts on red flags. Leave any situation that doesn't feel 100%.

It'll take time but you have so much ahead of you without jerks like him. You've got this - we're all here for you! Let me know if you want to hang or need anything else.

[Anonymous]

You might want to mature some before dating again.