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What a Jack-a–!
Cora Hayes, a native of Sydney, Australia, backpacked throughout Europe when she got matching tattoos with her summer fling, Jack. Like ink, Hayes thought this love could be permanent — until he ghosted her on their second date.
In a series of TikTok clips posted on her account @meowinthehat, Hayes unveiled the end of her international love story.
The love-struck pair connected on Hinge and had an “instant connection,” reported Kennedy News and Media, which led them to get the “exact same” lemon tattoo within 24 hours of meeting each other in Edinburgh, Scotland.
“We went to a tattoo parlor and got matching tattoos of a little lemon. There was no reason, but we both agreed on the lemon and got the exact same tattoo at the same time together,” Hayes shared.
Hayes, 22, revealed that the first date was such a hit that they decided to link up again in his hometown in Scotland once she finished her travels in England.
“I messaged him saying I had some spare time while traveling and that I could come back. He said, ‘Yeah, come back. I’d love to see you again,’” she recalled.
The duo solidified plans for their second date, and Hayes purchased her $181 flight from England to Scotland.
“I sent him my flight details and made sure the days worked and everything. Throughout that whole time, we were still messaging, and things were going well,” she added.
However, as the time got closer, the retail assistant realized her potential beau had “ghosted” her just two days before her flight.
“I got a message saying, ‘Hey, I’m really sorry, family things have come up. I can’t do this weekend. I hope you get home safe.’ He knew I wasn’t going back to Australia for a month, but he didn’t try to move the dates,” Hayes revealed.
The Australian believed Jack had made up the excuse, but she remained optimistic and flew out to her love interest’s hometown, even though she didn’t know anyone else there.
While there, she made sure to post her whereabouts online so Jack could see she was in the area, but all he did was watch her Instagram Stories instead of reaching out.
“No matter how you feel about the situation, ghosting is not an excuse. That’s the part I can’t wrap my head around. Just tell me it’s not going to work out,” she sighed.
After staying in a shared hostel room with two Australian girls for four nights, Hayes left the country on June 20, feeling a sense of “panic” and abandonment.
“I was blaming myself and thought I wasn’t good enough. I was self-blaming. But the way someone treats you is a reflection of themselves and not you. You just have to know your worth,” she exclaimed.
Hayes later found out Jack stood her up because she was “coming on too strong” and “he didn’t want to get hurt because I live in Australia.”
Annoyed by his lack of transparency and honesty, Hayes knew reconciliation was not in the future.
“To leave someone in the dark like that is beyond crazy to me. I don’t know how you can do that. I think it’s awful — while they’re in your hometown,” she stated.
Despite her unfortunate love story, Hayes made another connection with her hostel roomies, who decided to get matching lemon tattoos like hers after she revealed her reason for the trip.
“It’s very empowering. It’s kind of like a f–k you. For him, the tattoo’s still the same story but for me, it’s changed to a story of friendship and girlhood. He’s never going to forget me.”
Although Hayes’ trip had a different outcome, she still “loved Edinburgh” because she could see Jack’s true colors and forge new friendships.
“Just remember you’re a good person and that you’re loved. There’s so many other people out there. There’s a lot of love out there even if it’s not romantic love.”
