Letter to Crush

Dear KW,

I remember when we first met in eighth grade. You sat behind me in math. You would pull discrete pranks on our peers, and quite often me as well. My mom claimed you had a crush on me. I claimed you were just friendly.

I remember the third day of high school when you said "hi" to me in the halls. I was wandering aimlessly, having not found a single friend from the previous year yet. High school was scary and I spent the first two days crying. But there you were on day three, calling out my name. You probably don't remember that, but it meant a lot to me.

I remember when our paths crossed again a year and a half later. You starting eating with me at lunch due to our mutual friends. We reminisced on all our fun back in eighth grade.

I remember when I first developed a crush on you. A normal lunch developed into a small food fight and you were laughing away.

I remember when you started dating my best friend LK. She couldn't shut up about you and I just nodded along. I was too shy and missed my chance.

I remember four months later when LK broke your heart. She just didn't love you anymore, but you had trouble coming to grips with it.

I remember racing across campus together on the first day of Junior year. You sat next to me, despite knowing other people in the class. I was so happy we remained friends through your breakup.

I remember when I realised I still had a crush on you, but that you were now off limits due to girl code. You and your friends stopped joining us for lunch, but we stayed friends.

I remember LK being sick on a long lunch day, so I got food off campus with you and a few other guys. This became a routine whenever my friends were unavailable.

I remember one long lunch period during senior year when the other guys bailed to be with their girlfriends. The two of us talked for so long that we lost track of time and needed to rush back to school.

I remember when college decisions were on everyone's minds. It felt like they all had it figured out. We found comfort in each other's confusion.

I remember Prom when we were both dateless. Your girlfriend had a family event and LK had ditched me for a guy I had introduced her to yet again. Ours lives were busy and we weren't talking much. We only shared a quick hello, but that didn't keep me from daydreaming.

Lastly, I remember texting you a few days ago. Next week we start at different colleges. Our paths were always just a little bit off, but I'm hopeful they will cross again. If it's meant to be, it will happen.

Best of luck,

AD