You ever look back on a moment and think, “Wow, I really did that… and for what?” This is one of those moments. A very Loops moment. A moment where high school me, in all her hoodie-wearing, over-tweezed-eyebrow glory, was just trying to survive algebra and accidentally ended up with a boyfriend I didn’t even really like – while probably ruining my one true chance at fictional high school love. Or at least a hallway flirtationship.
Let me set the scene.
My sister had a boyfriend. And like the loyal little sidekick I always was, I guess I felt like I needed a boyfriend too. Not because I was in love. Not because I was emotionally ready. But because, apparently, “thou shalt not third wheel” was my subconscious mantra.
Now, my sister’s boyfriend had a best friend. And one day, somehow I found myself… dating him. I don’t remember how. I don’t remember why. By this time though, the novela involving me and sexy linebacker who never returned my call seemed not promising.
Either way I basically blinked and boom – boyfriend acquired. Call it survival instincts, sibling pressure, or sheer “let me not be left behind in this life” energy. But there I was. Committed. Confused. Kinda bummed.
Because here’s the thing – I wasn’t over my linebacker crush. You know, the sexy, confident football player who once smiled at me like he saw my soul and then ghosted me into oblivion? That guy.
Flash forward to the morning it all fell apart.
Me and my sister were sitting in our usual spot before school when linebacker guy and his cousin walked up and sat down with us. And then – he smiled. At me. Like a real smile. Like he was maybe about to say something sweet or flirty or life-altering.
It was a mind f because he had never returned my call or interacted after that ordeal.
Either way, I remember thinking, COULD IT BE…?
As I was starting to think maybe our novela could be, it happened.
The tall, gangly guy I had somehow agreed to call my boyfriend appeared out of thin air, like some sort of awkward ghost from the mistake dimension. He sat down. Close. And grabbed my hand.
I swear I watched my linebacker’s smile fade in slow motion. And after that it was like my soul left my body, hovered over the quad, and screamed, “NOOOOOOOO!”
The bell rang. Everyone walked away. And me? I was left there with my sweaty hand being held and my heart in shambles. And the worst part? I did it to myself.
Moral of the story? Sometimes you’re not unlucky in love – you’re just accidentally committed to someone you don’t even like because your sister got a boyfriend first.
Love, Loops