9th grade.
she was in my grade, even in most of my classes. incredibly smart, funny, pretty, the whole package. we even liked the same things, like various mythologies from around the globe and how they compared and differed (i don't care how much of a dork you think i am).
she suggested starting up a philosophy club, since that's another thing we both liked. for both aacademic and... personal reasons, i agreed and co-founded the Student Assembly of Philosophy. i attended every meeting, and held on to every word she said, all the while building up the courage to ask her out.
finally, the stage was set. it was the 6 month aniversary of the S.A.P., and a little party was thrown at her house. i thought this was it. my big chance. i'd find a quiet corner of the house and ask her out.
and of course, at the party, i get to watch as another member of the S.A.P., who clearly had more confidence then i did, ask her out in front of the whole group. and she said yes.
i was crushed. i never spoke to the boy again. and i spoke to her as little as i could. i still attended the meetings, but no longer had the passion i once had.
the two of them are still together. four years now. so i guess they're happy together, and that's all i can hope for is her happiness.
sorry this is so emo, but i'm in a melodramatic mood, and the subject matter doesn't help.
...so, there.