The One That Got Away

This is the story of my unrequited love from middle school.

When I was in sixth grade, there was this guy named, Jackson. He was tall with brunette hair, blue eyes, and cute freckles over his nose. I had a massive crush on him. Well, everyone had a crush on him back then. He was one of the popular kids in school but he was sweet. At least, I thought so. We were friends and looking back at our friendship today, I think he had a crush on me too. One time during November, he asked me for my phone number, but I unfortunately didn't have a phone back then so I told him no. He had a sad look on his face. Thinking back, he most likely thought I was rejecting him which probably caused this to happen.

A few months passed and it was three days before Valentine's Day. We were at lunch and he was with his friends while I was with mine. My best friend, Kendall asked if I had a crush on anyone and I told her about Jackson. It was a mistake because she wouldn't leave me alone during the whole lunch period. After lunch, we were walking back to class and she told me to ask him to the dance but I told her no.

I thought that was the end of it but she went over to him and told him I liked him. All I could think was in that moment, "Why would you do that?" My heart was pounding but all I saw was a weird look on his face and nothing happened. I was relieved and angry at Kendall but then she told my friend, TT to tell him that I like him since he didn't believe her. Just like that, my heart was pounding again. All I could do was watch as TT told him. Unfortunately, one of the mean girls in the class, Madison overheard and suddenly the whole class was in my business. We had a substitute that day who didn't care so there was no one to stop it.

I tried to distract myself by helping my friend, Tamia with her assignment but then I heard Madison ask him:

"Are you gonna ask her out?"

"Hell no!" Jackson yelled causing my heart to break.

Everyone in the class laughed and I was close to tears. I kept telling myself not to cry because that'll make it worse but the tears came out anyway. It was one of the worst days of my life. After that day, I became more insecure about myself and even more quiet than I already was.

We barely talked after that. I mean, why would we talk? It was obvious that he didn't like me and he didn't bother apologizing. But in seventh grade, my teacher found out about my ex-crush who was still my crush and always paired us up for projects. Why was he still my crush after that? Well, crushes are hard to get rid of. Once you start liking someone, it's hard to stop liking them even when they've broken your heart. We got close again after a few projects but not like how we were before since he was dating someone else.

But in eighth grade, he moved away and I never saw him again. I still don't know if he liked me back or not. Now that I'm older, I suspect that he did but maybe he didn't. If he did, I wish I worked up the courage to ask him out when he did like me. But now, he'll always be the one that got away.