(Part II to Meeting Her)

It was senior year. She was still just a junior. Sometimes I found myself saying my junior but I had to quickly shake those thoughts. She wasn't mine.

In all the time I spent watching her, whether it was in the hallway or in the one class we shared (Pre-Calculus), I never seen her date anyone. It was a relief to me that she was single. At least I hoped she was.

It was in Pre-Calculus that I decided to make a move. I wanted to know more about her. Answer the endless questions that filled my head all last year, plaques my dreams, and had me praying she'd show up to the mall during track out. Except she never did show up to the mall during track out.

We were halfway through the quarter when I decided to move to sit next to her. Of course I would have sat next to her if she had not come in late that first day. I chose a seat in the middle by a window while she sat in the back near the door.

My best friend sat behind me and I was surrounded by others from the basketball and baseball teams. There was no way I could just get her to move here with no seat near me. Plus I didn't know how she would react being around a bunch boys and in general my request. So I moved to her.

My friends were shocked that I moved. I told that I needed a study partner who knew what she was doing. Since I actually had a C in the class, it passed as a legit excuse.

She agreed to help me, with lots of hesitance of course. By the end of the first quarter we were talking comfortably though she continuously shushed me when I tried to talk to her in the middle of class. When we were working she allowed me to talk. Our conversations were long and lengthy. So much in fact I'd find the bell ringing when I had only half the sheet barely done. Of course she'd be a bit ahead of me but she too had lots to do those days.

So she made me focus on work than talking to her which was alright I guess. Once I got most of my work done we'd talk once again. These talks provided a lot of answers. She was indeed shy but once she was comfortable with you, she was quite nice and open. I learned she likes video games, she even has an xbox live account. We exchanged gamer tags and occasionally when she gets on we talk more.

My grade did go up to a B+. She kept pushing me to at least get an A but I was happy with my grade and the relationship we had. We weren't exactly friends but I think we were close enough to count.

However the year was quickly going by and while I learned more about her, she was still a junior. I was a senior. I'd be heading off to college soon. One day I asked her about her dreams and future. She told about her inspiration to become a nurse and help people. Maybe even become a doctor one day but she didn't sound too confident that she could make it. I could see it though. And I told her I could. I wanted to see her reach that dream. I felt the need to push her forward. Even if that meant staying behind.

My friends talked to her and her friends in turn talked to me. We didn't hang as a large group all the time but it was nice. They were all nice and funny, an easy fit into our group.

But the laughs and smiles soon faded off. Graduation day had come. When I walked onto the stage I looked out into the crowd. In the back I saw her. She wore a pretty, navy dress and her friends sat next to her chatting excitedly and waving at me. I smiled at them and continued across to get my diploma. Once I sat down I was assaulted with people shaking my hand, my shoulders, even my head.

Once we were released I moved about the crowd. I wanted to say goodbye. I hugged my parents, took pictures, and congratulated my other classmen. Finally I found one of her friends who told me she was already leaving. Thanking her I took off. I just wanted to say goodbye. That's all.

Finally I reached the parking lot and saw her getting into her little Saturn. Running up I called out to her and waved. She smiled and waved back. Once I reached her I pulled her into a hug. The last hug I'd ever give her for quite a while. She patted my back with those small hands of hers and ranted on about how she'd miss me and how she'd knew I'd do well in college.

A deep sadness filled me as I pulled away. We said our goodbyes and I left back to where everybody was chatting excitedly.

I didn't look back.

I should have looked back.