Gene's actions in the past month towards you have been fueled by two things: a desire to spend time with his new girlfriend (which results in him blowing anyone and everyone off at some point, it's not just you) and reaction to your actions. He has discovered several things that you had done or planned to do. I think he is acting very specifically to prevent you from getting the wrong impression.

You seem very proud that Gene's family continues to want to spend time with you. Are you happy that you "won" his family? Your friendship with Bree is unusual, to be sure, but it is fine. The problem lies in her doing anything to continue your belief that you and Gene will be together again, or even just friends. In the immediate future, neither is a possibility.

Last question, and it's a doozy. How exactly did Gene hurt you? From what I understand, the most potentially painful parts were things you volunteered for.

I confess I have been watching this with amusement. I'm not taking responsibility for Anonymous's curiosity, but I have to agree with several of the things they said. I disagree with a couple too though. But generally speaking I disagree with most everything you've said.

I'm okay with Gene's family not loving me. I'm not like Gene's family. They come from a very different perspective from me and I respectt that. I was treated rudely on some occasions but, for Gene's sake, I tried to forget those times.

Do I really need to mention my amusement that Maria obviously posted this from Bree's livejournal account? Makes me question everything else...

She did post from Bre's Lj but that's cause it was the one that was open... no harm no foul... so far good reading tho. :)

Do I really need to mention my amusement that anonymous and Tori could be/are the same person? Next time sweetie, change up your language so you're not so obvious and don't answer questions that were intended for the *anonymous* poster or...did you forget to switch accounts? I have scenario B that anonymous could be Gene's new girlfriend, whom I haven't the pleasure to meet yet, so I won't pass any judgement since this seems to be clearly Tori's fight...but if it's really so...man, poor first impression my dear.

Fine. I'm a moron and it was me. I do not understand Maria's perspective on the break up. I have heard things from Gene about her more recent actions. And I wonder what she is thinking. So I asked. There is no way Maria would ever respond to me. So I asked anonymously. I won't apologize for that.

I didn't say anything mean to her. In fact, I wasn't even critical (well, maybe once). But for no reason, I was insulted by Bree and now you, Alex. I did nothing to you and nothing to her. Ever. Be indignant for Gene's sake, fine. That's great. But just like I don't understand what Maria is thinking, you have no idea what was in my head when Gene and I broke up. I will confess I cheated on Gene and that was the catalyst. But you don't know what our relationship had been like for the year leading up to that point. Go ahead and judge me. Insult me if you have to. It really doesn't bother me.

Maria will never understand how many times I have pointed out her side to Gene. I have worked very hard to ensure that Gene sees Maria's point of view. Once again, everyone will be indignant and say that that's what they've been trying to do. But the small difference is that Gene is, at your own admittance, not really listening to you all right now. The reason I wanted to talk to Maria was because it is growing increasingly difficult for me to explain her POV. I don't understand it anymore. I was trying to gain perspective. It probably wasn't my place and I apologize.

I'm sorry if anyone feels like I attacked them or insulted them in anyway. I just honestly don't feel like who Gene is has changed. I feel like everyone is attributing his recent decisions to a new "selfish" Gene because they don't support him. How would you feel knowing that your family and friends are praying for you because they think you've gone off the deep end? He hasn't. He's fine. I wish you could see that. He's happy. Please be happy for him.

You all are going to hate me no matter what I say. From what I've heard since Gene and I broke up, you guys always did. It doesn't change the fact that we all love Gene. Shannon and Gene truly care about each other. That should be enough. She's great. I'm probably biased because she's one of my best friends but they really have a lot in common. Please, everyone, give her the chance you didn't want to give me.

And now, like Gene asked, I will never respond to this thread again. I said my piece. I just wanted to talk to Maria. I'm sorry Maria cannot speak for herself.

Tori, if you wanted to ask me something you could have done it and I would have answered it. I can't control what Alex or Bree said to you. I appreciate the fact that you are trying to explain my side to Gene and like i said before I hope he finds in Shannon what he couldn't find in me and I really just hope that he doesn't hurt her the way he hurt me. I still don't really understand they why of the break up. I feel like he lied to me by not talking to me because he didn't want to hurt me, by NOT speaking to me about the situation he actually hurt me MORE than he can ever imagine. I'm not really sure what of our relationship was real and what of it was him trying to convince himself that he was happy. I truly loved him... i still do and every time he talks about Shannon my heart breaks a little more. I'm slowly dealing with the fact that he is not mine and that he will probably never be mine again. I found a piece of flair today that said "loving someone is wanting the best for them, whether it includes you or not". I think this describes perfectly what my situation with Gene is. I have tried to get him to talk to me about the WHY and he is always too busy to talk to me. I'm done fighting and I'm done trying to figure it out. He did change, it's the way the world works. You changed and I changed and he changed. And now that he is with Shannon, they are both going to change. There is nothing that can be done about that.

You want to know why you broke up? I don't think you'll get a better response than you've already received. I don't know if there is one. And if you were to have talked like you wanted, I don't know what Gene could possibly said to you that wouldn't have hurt you, probably more than his silence did. Talking more doesn't help. Believe me, I've tried. After a while it just turns into excuse after excuse and none of them bring anymore closure than the previous one.

When you talk about Shannon you always add that you hope he doesn't hurt her like her hurt you. He didn't mean to hurt you. That's just a sad side effect of breaking up. Odds are, he'll do it to Shannon too. Just think like 99.99999% of all relationships fail. We all are working towards that one that works out.

And please don't second guess you're relationship. It was real. He was happy. He really was. And so were you. It was magical, right? Don't let it lose any of that shine. But I'm glad you're ready to let go. I was growing very worried about you.

Also, about talking to you directly, after you unfriended me on Facebook, I wasn't getting very amicable vibes coming in my direction...

you kept posting pictures of gene and shannon and it hurt me anytime that it showed up. i dont hate you and i never have. i also don't have a problem with shannon since i met her for like 3 seconds once. Gene is the first man i loved. I still love him and every fiber of my being pines for him. this is my first big break up and my brain and my heart is not really sure how to deal with it. shannon's face kept showing up on my feed and it was only making it harder and more painful

Maria clearly spoke for herself in her replies...and others who care about her spoke up because of the absurdity of how the conversation was going. Sweetheart, just stay out of it. That is the easiest thing to do. You don't need to stand up for Maria or even get involved. It just complicates things on the extreme. If you're questioning Gene's perspective, hence your reasoning of doing all this...than that means you have a decent head on your shoulders to find the facts and that's completely okay, and rather admirable in a way. BTW, I haven't always "hated" you persay...I just didn't understand your relationship...but then again, I did only hear from Gene's perspective. Like I said, I'm trying to be Switzerland on their breakup because I've known them both for a long time...I just have to call a spade a spade. If either of them ever need me I'll be there for them. What Maria is going through is very normal...I've been there, done that, and now I'm okay. God if Ryan Horn and I can be besties, and you and Gene can be friends...I'm sure Maria and Gene will find a friendship again in the near future. Just stay out of it and let nature take it's course. Have a good night.

I think Tori that you might just be a tad jealous that his family never liked you and they love me now. It's your own fault that you screwed up and ruined what you had with him. Bree and I are friends because we enjoy spending time with each other. We are friends and will be friends regardless of whether Gene and I get back together or stay friends even. But whatever, I don't need to explain myself any further.