Not sure how I should start this... I could tell you about my past- about how it’s just been a long series of event that have been both hell and happiness. Or about everything happening for a reason.
But does it? Or do we just repeat these clichés to ourselves to stay at peace? We all know how life can really beat you down, but we mostly manage to make it through and find our way. One way or another. Mostly.
Let’s go back to those days when we were in High School. I’m sure most of you guys were just as young and almost as stupid as I was, without a real care in the world. Let’s just say I would work (some) but party a lot harder. It was in those carefree days that Rudy, my best friend, introduced me to his girlfriend. We were standing by the west exit to the parking lot. I was wearing gray sweat pants with a matching sweat shirt. I looked like a fool. And then I saw her incredible smile… it was actually the perfect smile- that kind that grabs a hold of you makes you feel like nothing bad can happen to you. The kind of smile that makes you feel important and speechless all at the same time. She had bright brown eyes and when they reflected the sun I saw shimmering jade and emerald hidden within them. Her hair made long blond waves that I lost myself in. I already knew she was perfect. I knew that for the first time in my life I had found a reason to give something my all. I had never fallen in love until that day in the west exit to the parking lot. And as long as we’re being honest with each other- I’m quite the ass-man- always have been, always will be, I can’t help it, I was born that way. And this girl had it going on and then some. That was in the Fall of my senior year.
We were talking on the phone after she broke up with him. My body felt numb. The butterflies inside my stomach were the size of bats. My heart was a racing like the time I got caught stealing a South Park sticker from the Parks Mall and the cops came.
“Andrea, I have to ask you a question… How do you feel about me?” That was the best I could come up with.
“Well… You’re really nice, you’re sweet, you’re caring-“
“Because the thing is, I think you’re awesome, you’re sweet, and I can’t stop smiling when I’m around you.”
She would say that she felt the same and I imagined her smiling on the other end of the telephone line. Now I was feeling big and brave and bold, so I asked her how she would feel about going out with me. We decided I was going to have to talk to Rudy.
And I did. Rudy gave me his blessing, and everything went as perfect as I imagined it could. Everything went so well that even though graduation came and she went off to Texas Tech without me, our relationship continued. I went to the local junior college (because my grades were a complete pathetic joke) and she continued her studies at Texas Tech. Any chance I had to see her I would. We kept things going. To me life was still perfect, and eventually, after a few semesters I was accepted to Texas Tech. When I heard the great news I felt like I had just won the NCAA BCS championship and that I was the coach, the quarterback, and the marching band. And from that moment on, nothing would ever be the same.
