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The original was posted on /r/tifu by /u/GoodAd3658 on 2026-07-02 22:17:32+00:00.

To start this story I have to say I'm an outgoing and playful person but can't catch on when someone is flirting with me. These interactions are common for me. Two years back I volunteered at my first convention. Connooga. I was mostly with pride track raising money giving out temp tattoos. They also have an adults only section where they were holding demi/ace meet and greet. I was just finishing up on a baddie of a cosplayer dressed as barf from Spaceballs. I told my replacement where I was going next and cosplayer said she was heading there to and we should walk together. No problem. We walk, make small talk, and everything's good.

Here's the part where I f'ed up: I go to the person running the event and say that pride track was told they may need extra people.

Head person: no, we're good. We got enough people.

Me: okay, I guess I'll see who else needs help in other sections.

Cosplayer: or you can stay....

Me: for what? I swear now as it replays in my head as I walk away it just sounds like SpongeBob rubber foot steps.

How did I realize the fumble: getting ready for the current one and saying to myself: it was weird when she wanted me to stay....... oooooo. To the cosplay baddie: I'm an idiot and I hope my absent-mindedness didn't hurt your confidence.

Tl;DR: focused too hard on helping and missed the chance with a cosplayer.