Vacation From What, Exactly

I've never been too big of a believer in the golden rule.

I mean, treat others as you want to be treated? But what if the others are big, fat idiots?

Yeah, I'm too brash for that.

But to an extent, I do understand it. On a basic level of respect, I understand it. Not for everybody, mind you, but for some people. If I like somebody, or consider them my friend, then unless they do something to merit disrespect, they deserve golden treatment.

Because to me, respect shows that you care. If you consider somebody your friend, you will respect them enough to tell them the truth, or stick to plans, or not disappoint them.

One would think.

However, that has not been my experience. At all.

I know that I stick to plans more than most people. I know that I don't tell just anybody "sure, let's hang out" like most people do. I only tell the people that I actually care to hang out with. The others get rejected. Tastefully, of course.

What with it being summer, I feel like I should see people more. Do more stuff with them. Talk to them. Whatever.

So instead of my typical "meh" attitude, where my rationale consists of the satisfaction that I see people at school and the lack of necessity to see them elsewhere, I've actually been trying to do things with people.

And getting blown off.

Every time.

Now, it's not exactly a new sensation to me. The people that I befriend apparently don't hold the same moral values of respect that I do, and the past three or so summers I'm pretty sure I've gone the whole time without seeing my school friends once.

So you would think that the fact that it still happens wouldn't daze me at all.

But it does.

I feel like if I plan something with somebody, even if I'm not too invested in it, it's my obligation to go through with it. And I've discovered over and over again that even the things which don't sound fun on paper usually end up being twice as entertaining or fulfilling as originally forecast.

Yet time and time again I see that other people don't feel the same sense of obligation, and time and time again I'm disappointed.

Despite my efforts, I see that this summer will be just like all of the others.

Shattered plans and a proliferation of disappointments.