The first time I saw her, I was in SS1. She had been in the school since Jss1 but due to the fact that we were close to 300 students in my set, it was almost possible keeping tabs on everyone. The fact we were never in the same class since we came to school was also a factor.
We had different arms by arm I mean, Jss1a, Jss1b and so on. I guess Gracious was in Jss1c till the senior secondary level. It was then that we were now assigned and posted in the same class, the science class.
The first time I even noticed her, She seemed to already know who I was. Which was a little weird because I never knew She even existed.
She seemed to give me attention and was always looking for my trouble. I didn't think much of it. The ladder to our friendship wasn't that tall because I gave in.
Before we were promoted to the next class, we were already best of friends. She was like my right and left hand.
One day, after classes a friend of mine Eben by name told me, "Ben, I think Gracious has a crush on you".
Yeah, I know, no one believes that until they've seen it for themselves. I didn't believe it too because as much as I didn't want to admit it, She was more into bad guys.
I know this sounds strange but it's totally true, you know this saying "Good girls love bad guys". I didn't believe it until I encountered it for myself. There was a guy I knew She had her eye on. I didn't think He liked Her as much as She did Him. I couldn't tell her that because She would think I was jealous.
I never thought I would like her that way but I did eventually. I was going to tell her about my feelings, but I couldn't because if She didn't feel the way then I would loose my best friend.
You must think I was a big coward but anyone would be if in the same situation. At least if not everyone about 70 percent of the male population would do the same.
I couldn't tell her and when I mustard the courage She had already accepted the other guys proposal. I was heartbroken majorly from the fact that I would have to be friends with her boyfriend.
In no time I was already friends with Him. He was a nice guy. I mean everyone likes a nice guy. But the fact that I missed the opportunity was very painful. I missed the boat and there was no turning back.
At some point I made peace with the fact that I had lost her as a girlfriend. One gift God gave Man is the ability to adapt in every situation and move on.
I could see She wasn't always happy with Him because they kept being childish breaking up and coming back again. Even though I had missed the boat, but I built a better one.