One of my closest friends, the girl I loved, was a contestant. I was there with her family and her boyfriend to show support, although the boyfriend was in a different part of the audience. I had dressed up as sharp as a tack in a a blue shirt, a black waistcoat, and a grey and black striped tie. I’ve just recently gotten my hair cut, so it was styled the way I like it. I sat about four rows away from the stage and in the center of the audience, and directly behind me was her family.
The experience was interesting, even though she did not win.
Afterward, though, when I found her, she said that I was the only one she saw in the audience when she came out. Maybe it was the sharp outfit, maybe it was the color of my shirt. Maybe it was just the fact that I’m pretty tall, and I was sitting in front of her family (while her boyfriend was a few rows back and to the right).
This girl, who I’d probably marry if ever given the chance, had spotted me out of the everyone in the crowd and had felt comforted by knowing that at least one of her close friends had shown up as promised.
It breaks my heart sometimes to think about what we could have been. Our story seems like one of those shows where you know two people should be together, but they are paired with others and remain platonic friends. It brings joy to my wounded heart, though, to know that out of everyone she saw me, all dressed up especially for her on this occasion. Just another instance that shows how much I still care.
I think I’ll go eat a pint of Ben & Jerry’s now.