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| NAME: Jennifer NICKNAME: "Pretty Lady" HOOKED-UP: Never NOTEWORTHY: The Big Crush of my high school years, Jennifer was a girl I first laid eyes upon in the 10th grade. Although there were a few other lovely ladies whom had caught my eye that year, this was the one who not only stood out, but would continue being of great interest to me. We only had one class together. Ever. And it was the duration of that Sophomore year we shared said class (4th Period Basic English with Ms. Rawn-Peterson)... through which I would continue to admire her from afar. Not only was there physical beauty to admire, but there was also this kindness that emanated from a gentle spirit. She could brighten a person's day with her smile, and capture your attention with her eyes. Things she would say were not nearly as noteworthy as how she said them. After that 10th grade year, it was hard to keep track of her; we had no more classes together. In addition to this, it became clear to me that we were from different worlds: she of the Pretty & Popular, and me of the Painfully Mundane. Still, this did not keep her from exchanging greetings, smiles and brief moments of chitchat with me. Although it would be the hardest thing to ever openly admit my feelings (that whole "fear of rejection" scenario), it was the most rewarding & comforting thing for me to share a friendship with her...no matter how trivial or shallow it may have seemed in light of what I truly desired. In spite of dating others during my high school years--as did she--I still longed for her. The crush was pretty serious. In fact, it lasted beyond high school--up until my first love lost...which ultimately cured me of said crush. Regardless, my admiration for her endured. In our post high school years, we still ran into each other now & then. She was whom contacted me for our ten-year high school reunion (which I avoided like a plague). I made it a point to attend live productions that she performed in throughout the '90s as she pursued a career in acting. In fact, the last time I saw her was right after she participated in a 1999 play that took place out in Thousand Oaks. Towards the end o'the '90s, she settled down with her longtime sweetheart--giving birth to their first baby near the turn o'the millennium. From everything I heard, she was/is truly happy. And I'm glad for that. In hindsight, especially knowing myself better now, I realize that we are not compatible. Had we ever hooked-up, it probably could have proven disasterous. Or at least, might have been very negative. As a result of how things worked out, I believe she is better off and living a good life. I shall forever wish her well. __________________________ |