Take Chances, Love Happens (a short story)

Take Chances, Love Happens In my absolutely crazy Mears Middle School, something like love or a relationship wasn’t going to happen to very many of the confused teenagers attending 7th and 8th grade there. I was one of the many girls that had already become extremely unhopeful and hurt when it came to boys. I figured that love was just a worthless thing. Love would never come within five feet of a loser like me. “Angelina! Great news! You can stay the night this weekend!” shouted my best friend in the whole world, Brittany. My beautiful, natural blonde friend came running toward me with her binder in hand. She wore her favorite black Columbia coat and blue jeans. I met up with Brittany in the long, marble-floored hall, lined with tan lockers on every space of the walls. Glancing quickly at the clock behind her, I saw that I still had four minutes before I had to be in class. That was plenty of time. I told Brittany I couldn’t wait for the weekend and that I would see her later. Walking away, I turned the corner of Apollo team’s hallway. Suddenly, my heart stopped beating. Even though I told myself I wouldn’t like anyone else this year, there was one boy I was back and forth on the entire year. His name was Dustin. He was super smart, gifted in music, and really quiet. I took the same jazz band class with him second period, but I was much too shy to talk to ever say more than three words to him. And who could blame me? Dustin wore glasses and a lot of navy-colored shirts, which brought out the best in his dark brown eyes and hair. Even if he hadn’t been incredibly cute, I would still be too shy to talk to him because I never took chances with anything. Forgetting where I was for a minute, I passed Dustin and walked downstairs to class. During the next few days, it was Brittany who helped me think about telling Dustin I liked him. I didn’t think it was possible to do something so courageous on my own after all the times I’d been rejected in my life. It was hard enough to tell my own best friend! After too much puzzling over the idea, I took the easy way out and decided to tell him over MSN Messenger. That Saturday night, I sat at my little computer monitor and keyboard, shaking, trying to think of a good time to tell Dustin what was beating up my internal organs during the pointless conversation we were typing out together. Finally, I jumped off the diving board suspended from my mind, and plunged for the deep pool in my heart. “Even though I know I shouldn’t, I still like you a lot . . . ” I typed in a maroon font. I became so scared and nervous. What was taking him so long to answer? Had I just put myself in what I didn’t want to happen? All of the sudden, Dustin answered, “Hmm, don’t go shouting this to any other guys. I don’t want them after me.” After those two sentences typed back in black, I was close to assured that Dustin liked me a lot too. With a twinge of absolute excitement in my stomach, I said a goodnight to him and went to bed. Before I fell into a dreamless sleep, all I could do was imagine what would happen at school next week. “Brittany,” I whined, “why hasn’t Dustin said anything to me for three days? I’m so ashamed for getting my hopes up on someone again.” The following Wednesday on April 28th, Brittany eyed me with a sorry look on her face. I knew there was nothing she could do, but before she went to class, she hugged me with her best intentions, leaving me a little happier. I walked downstairs to see if there was anyone to chat with during the rest of passing time. Rounding the corner of the downstairs hall, I nearly ran straight into Dustin! Though I was at loss for any words, I quickly mumbled, “Uh, hey.” He said, “Hi,” and looked at me. For some reason, the two of us started walking side by side to an unknown destination. I turned away, but he did as well, so we were facing each other. Looking behind him at the clock, the time read 1:58 p.m. After a long stare at the floor, I looked straight into his eyes that stared right back into mine before he shyly said, “Would you go out with me?” Even after all the times I told myself to forget someone or let them hurt my feelings, this happy turn out in love had actually happened. Not only did I learn to stop being so pessimistic about everything, but I also found out that taking a risk in the game of love wasn’t so hard after all. I figured out that I didn’t have to be shy any longer, just let my feelings out when I was ready. And the day I learned my lesson in love is still affecting me in great ways. Eight months later, Dustin and I are still together!