Whatever you do, don’t fall for him. Don’t think about him when you’re falling asleep or in class or with your boyfriend at the time. Don’t leave your boyfriend for him because you know he won’t care about you a tenth as much as your boyfriend did.

 

Don’t pretend you’ll just be friends when you know you’re inviting him over just to cuddle on the couches. Don’t talk to your now ex-boyfriend about him because you know it will hurt him. You won’t want it to, and he’ll say he’s fine, but he’s not.

 

Don’t invite him over after getting sushi together with a group of friends. Don’t pretend like you don’t know what’s going on between you two.

 

Don’t get in his car. That’s where it all starts.

 

Don’t get in his car. Don’t.

 

Don’t lean on him and tell him how sad you are that he’s leaving for college along with your now ex-boyfriend.

 

Don’t let him hug you and kiss your face and tell you everything’s going to be alright.

 

Spoiler Alert: It won’t be.

 

Don’t let him kiss you and don’t you dare think that this is one of the best moments of your life. It may be now, but it will rot into the worst.

 

Don’t let him into your mind. Don’t tell him secrets.

 

Don’t dance around saying “no,” because he won’t get it. Don’t give yourself to him just to make him stay. 

 

Don’t pretend like everything is fine when you know it’s not. Don’t push away that sinking feeling that something is wrong. Don't ignore the signs of him distancing himself from you and growing closer to her.

 

Don’t get desperate when he wants to leave. Don’t beg. Just let him go.

 

Don’t feel like this is the end of the world because you’re just beginning.

 

But if you want to save all this heartbreak, if you want to avoid all this pain...

 

Don’t get in his car. Don’t.

 

Don’t do it.

 

Just don’t.