dear diary

one

William Shakespeare once said, "Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind."

For many years of my life, I did not believe this to be true. To me, boy was simply "cute" or not. It never crossed my mind that someone's personality could somehow change how I felt about them, despite their looks.

High school relationships have always been a "no-no" for me. It just seems so pointless to devote so much time to someone who you know won't even be in your life in the next ten years.

As the end of the first semester of my senior year approaches, I find myself looking through the halls of this school remembering the good times, bad times, and even imagining crazy scenarios of things I wish I would have done during what was supposed to be the "best four years" of my life. Instead of living a life of partying, underage drinking, and meaningless hookups like the rest of my peers, I spent most of my high school years with my head buried in a book, spilling my thoughts into my journal, and studying subjects I already learned in class.

Finishing shoving all of my textbooks into my locker, I notice my best friend Riley heading my way.

"I swear I just bombed my chemistry test." Riley says, shaking her head.

My best friend was never the brightest, but I loved her anyway. I've known Riley practically all my life. She moved down the street from my family when we were seven and our parents forced us to become friends. Little did they know that now, over ten years later, we're still inseparable.

"I've offered to tutor you a million times. I don't know why you won't let me help." I say

"Because, Em. You're the worst teacher. I can never understand what you're saying; It's like you're speaking a whole new language. And you don't even have the patience to explain things to me-" 

"Fair point. We all know I wasn't made to be a teacher." I laugh

"Either way, this very cute boy in my class knows what's going on and I'm working up the courage to ask him to tutor me." She smiles

Classic Riley. She's definitely the extrovert. She'll find any excuse to get to know a new guy. I honestly don't know how she can keep up with all of them. 

"Hey, have you seen Logan?" I ask

Logan; the final piece of our little trio. I've known him even longer than I've known Riley. Long story short, our moms were best friends in college and moved down here right after. We've lived right next to each other since we were born and obviously grew very close. We would have sleepovers every other weekend, carpool to school together, and spend summer vacations together every year. Our bond has never faded and he's still my closest friend to this day. Recently he's been going through a tough time because his long-term girlfriend (whom me and Riley despised), Madison, cheated on him. She never told him who she cheated with, but he blames himself and he's been beating himself up over it ever since.

Another perfect example of why dating in high school is stupid.

"I think he ditched school again." Riley frowns.

"If he keeps missing school he won't get his diploma." 

I don't expect him to take school as seriously as I do- nobody does- but it's always been our moms' dream to see us walk across that stage at graduation together.

"He'll come around. A two year relationship ending so quickly can really take its toll on someone." Riley says.

I sigh and fling my bag over my shoulder as we head off to lunch.

"Have you made any plans for winter break?" Riley asks.

"Honestly I think I'll stay home all break. Aubrey's coming home from school for the first time in a while and I think it'd mean a lot to my parents if the whole family was back together again."