There was a time when I was hoping to have a better friendship with this classmate who I used to like. It's been a while since I actually liked someone and had a reason to be in the same room as them. Unfortunately, they never meet my self-imposed expectations
My time with this collective group of disappointments is coming to an end and I know it could've been better. I could've done so much more. So much more. And this is my reward. I can't say it's not fair but I dislike it. I didn't do a goddamn thing.
There was a point where I expected things to go differently. It was in the program's early stages, and I was still trying to be this friendly person who introduced himself to everyone because I wanted to make connections for this new career I was pursuing. As time went on, they just stopped acknowledging me for some reason. I still don't know why and I resent a lot of them for it.
Well, let's get the dramatic description of how I saw things and how I expected something out of the way again.
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I finished the quiz that day, half an hour early, and had lots of time to calm down. I wanted to calm down and relax somewhere. I didn't know anyone else that well yet so those storylines and social links haven't started yet. I remember it would've been a great opportunity to talk to the girl I like, the one I have a big crush on, but I could never get any opportunities. I sat on this yellow bench outside my classroom. Not the best seat but it'll do. I put on my earphones and listen to some HAIM. The song, "Lost Track". Very appropriate.
♫ Mastered my own luck
But it wasn't easy
I'm tryin' to feel alright
Around all these people
I try, but I'm just numb
This time ♫
As the song played through my earphones, I just thought, well, nothing's gonna happen today so might as well just stay in my own head.
Then without warning, she comes from around the corner, finishing a phone call. I recognized that blonde hair anywhere. As she sat down on the same bench, I thought, this must be a joke, right?
A chance to talk to someone I admire just came out of nowhere. How often would that happen?
"Oh hey," I said casually. "Everything okay?"
She smiled and nodded. "Everything's good. How are you?"
"I'm okay, just vibing," I said jokingly, trying to be a cool guy. "So tell me more about your life story."
She told me more about herself, which I've wanted to hear for several weeks now. It was nice to know more about this person through casual, lighthearted conversation. We exchanged details about our college lives, what we did in the past, and what were our backgrounds like.
She said she liked having her friend around so she can be humble. "I need her to humble me," she remarked. To this day, I still don't know what she meant by that.
Her friend came out and said they'd get lunch together. As disappointed as I was that it had to end, I'm glad it happened. "I'll see you around," I said.
"See you later, Ralph!" she replied, walking away, drifting into conversation with her friend.
That was a nice surprise, I thought. Can't wait till the next time.
I put my earphones back on and resume playing the song I was listening to.
♫ Meeting you caused a chain reaction (chain reaction)
I'll take the smallest crumb
But I'll never get back what I lost track of ♫
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I remember writing a ton of these back in 2011, dramatizing my interactions with the women I've liked throughout the years. I always like putting it all in writing because I know I'll forget these moments in the future.
I'll admit that I really felt nice about that moment on the bench. Looking back, once again, it could've been so much more.
