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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at TAMU chapter.

You are a friend of a friend,

One I don’t particularly like.

You can not handle your drink

Because every party night is taken to the extreme.

You come stumbling into the room,

Quite clearly drunk as a skunk,

But you are a friend of a friend.

So I will not complain to her.

Instead, I keep my thoughts about your behavior to myself.

.

But when you touch me,

Lay your hand on my shoulder,

When you believe you have a right to my body

because I have been cordial to you–

Polite and friendly and kind because that is who I try to be–

And you take that as an invitation to touch me…

I do not appreciate your touch, and I make it known

I tell you, straightforward, “do not touch me”

My smile drops, my mood has shifted from friendly to serious 

I want you to understand the point I am making

I want you to respect my boundaries

I want to keep my personal space as is my right to do so

Have I been invading your space?

Have I looked at you with another other than pleasant kindness I offer to any stranger I meet?

Have I not offered you the silent respect of a stranger and not said anything about your intoxicated behavior?

.

But when the smile slips 

And I demand respect of my own,

you take it as a personal slight against yourself.

Your eyebrows rise and your eyes widen

You are shocked that I have stated my desire to not have someone I have met for the second time touch my skin

–I am uncomfortable with your strange touch–

.

But you do not understand where this is coming from

Because I was polite to you and you thought it was within your rights to lay a hand upon my shoulder

So when I say the words “do not touch me”

You pull back and assume I am gay

You assume that any girl that is not interested in your touch must somehow not be interested in men at all

.

My sexuality is not the reason I do not appreciate you touching my shoulder and calling me “sweetie” 

No, I do not need a reason.

And sure, in the end,

You move back a step and remove your hand.

But you grumble and make assumptions as you do so.

You begrudgingly do as I say.

When you had no right 

To invade my personal space and a touch my bare skin

In the first place.

.

So while you think this behavior is okay

–that your actions were okay–

Because you technically listened in the end… 

.

Do not be annoyed with me when I say 

“do not touch me” without a smile on my face. 

Do not be shocked when I tell you 

“no” without backing up my demand with a reason.

I do not need to explain my reasoning to you

I do not need a reason

It is my body

And I am uncomfortable. 

.

So respect my wish, 

And “do not touch me.”

Howdy! I’m Gabriela Gomez, an avid reader who is interested in all areas of publishing and writing. And reading of course! I’m the Editor-in-Chief; I currently oversee all the publishing of articles for the Her Campus at TAMU chapter. I am overjoyed to read all the members’ articles and make any corrections that will help to elevate the article. I have been with Her Campus at TAMU since my freshman year. The first year I was a general member on the Writing and Editing committee. During that first year, I wrote a total of 23 articles and was always finding new ways to help. For my second year, I worked as the Senior Editor, publishing more than 80 articles and writing 38 articles. Now in my second semester of junior year, I have implemented a new pitch process for better organization and cleanest, I have already published more than 170 articles, and I have written 16 articles and will continue writing more! Besides working as the Editor-in-Chief, I am a dedicated student at Texas A&M studying Biomedical Sciences. I am also obtaining a minor in both English and Spanish. While not studying diligently, I work in a research lab grinding away, trying to get my name on some research papers (fingers crossed). In my free time, I read, obviously. I am also on the hunt for the best latte to ever bless this earth and love a good game of chess!