[QUOTE=anyrose]
I was pining for a crush who was spending the summer in Israel. HSLoML came 'round to the park where I was working. (We knew each other from school but never more than to say “hi” in the halls) So I took my lunch break and we walked to Friendly’s for a bite and conversation. I started crushing on him, and I guess it was mutual, because he started coming around several times a week. We weren’t dating, tho. Just hanging out and playing an occasional game of half court tennis.
Fast forward to the start of school. A friend was throwing a wine and cheese party, and said I could bring a date. (What? Me ask a boy? :eek: !! ) My best friend (who was also invited with guest) talked me into it. I approached HSLoML with trepidation and asked in a very round about way, closing with “It’s okay if you don’t want to” but before I finished that sentance he accepted. I did a classic sitcom double take, said okay and gave him the details, then ran down the hall to BFF’s class and told her the good news (her teacher allowed me to pop in from time to time, as long as I didn’t linger, and never if he was giving a test).
Meanwhile, Travelling Crush came home, and I felt I needed to tell him about HSLoML. Now, TC had never returned the crush, but he did like me as a friend, and often exressed concern over my well being (I tended towards drama-queen-hood from time to time) His response to my news was “you could do better” (he and HSLoML had gone to the same elementary school and apparently the latter still owed the former $3.47) When I looked at him :dubious:ly, he said “Oh, no. Not me. But better.” To which I said “Well, if you don’t mean you, then you have no right to say”
(to be contimued - yes there is more - but I have to get back to work
[/QUOTE]
Now, in the interim, HSLoML and I had bought the same shirt (gender specific, but essentially the same) the ever popular patchwork shirt that everyone in the mid 70’s owned (I think they even dressed Eric in it on one episode of That 70’s Show) and we decided that we would wear them to the party. TC was invited to this party as well. He was already there when we arrived and turned positively green (I’m hoping with envy, tho in retrospect, he could have just been nauseated
) when he saw us.
Things went well with HSLoML for several months, until it was prom ticket buying time. I was a senior and he, a junior, so I asked him. He waited a week to give me his answer, which was no, because he’d feel out of place being the only junior male there (which turned out not to be the case, but we had no way of knowing that in advance) and then he said we were getting too serious and we should take a break. I was devastated, but I survived the rest of the school year by concentrating my energies on TC, much to his consternation.
Then, about a week or so before graduation, HSLoML admitted he missed me, and we should start dating again, which we did, all summer. Then I went away to college, and he didn’t. When I came home late October to see the high school play, he broke up with me, saying he’d started seeing someone else. Again, devastation. But I survived - I’d found someone at college to focus on, and he returned the focus. (except for two weeks when I took my devastation out on him, since he had the same name as HSLoML)
Eventually, HSLoML and I were able to become friends, even tho I secretly hoped the flame would rekindle. We lost touch somewhere in the mid 80’s, and sometimes I still feel like he’s the one who got away.
Next chapter, the one who helped me get over HSLoML