"To be your friend was all I ever wanted; to be your lover was all I ever dreamed." - Valerie Lombardo
The school bell for students to go to their 3rd period class has rung. For Richard, his 3rd period of school was his English class. It was also the class period that Nicole walked by him and told him "See you during 3rd period." it got him wondering; what did she mean by that? Was it just a simple message of see you soon or is something going to happen regarding the both of them or just Richard overthinking like always?
Richard walked into class and walked his way to a four person table that he and Nicole both were matched at, along with two of their other friends George and Estefany. George is one of Richard and Nicole's friends, a big football fan just like Richard and both have similar personalities with some traits that they have different from one another. Estefany, another close friend to Richard and Nicole more so similar to Nicole in terms of how beautiful both women looked (to Richard's eyes at least) and how both have similar mindsets of planning and how they act socially.
"You guys ready for that project due on Friday?" said George, as he opened up the conversation line for the class period within the group.
"We sure are!" proclaimed Estefany. "What about you Richie? I know you've been excited about this one" she added.
Richard thought about it for a moment. While he was excited about the project where the students have to premiere a video about why either early school times were good or bad, he was a bit nervous about how Nicole would view the video in her eyes. Richard also knows that he shouldn't put too many eggs into that basket of whether it would be the best video she has seen from the class, he still would like to earn more points in impressing her.
"Yeah of course!" he replied. "I'm excited for everyone to see it. I've been working hard on it with my own creativity that helps to explore the topic."
Mr. Pores, the English teacher for this class period, walked up to the front of the class to reiterate the project once more to the class of when it was due and guidelines behind the project. "In addition to the video, I would like for all of you to also write an essay with your analysis of the topic at hand and being able to present the argument of which side you're on."
Richard moaned slightly, but he knew that was part of the journey towards getting the best grade in the class, so he had to tackle this head on with the right amount of effort, research, and focus. Nicole could sense that vibe from Richard while both are sitting next to each other at the table.
"I wonder if that's you getting ready to become crafty and creative with this project huh?" she kindly teased.
"You could say that." Richard replied, with slight embarrassment of the fact that she noticed one of his quirks. "I just hope it's enough for the best grade of the project."
The bell to end 3rd period has rung, the students all got up to leave the class and head next to their 4th period class. Richard's 4th period class was pretty unique for what it was, it's basically a study period at the library and also a chill period for him. But today is something that Richard has not only been excited for but also dreading for a while since he ever liked Nicole: Asking her out.
You see, Richard has been planning this for weeks now and always relied on verified tips from some of her friends and some of his own that know Nicole well to give him the reassurance that this plan would work. But as we all know of course, confidence is key and that's a skill that Richard would need to work on for this to work.
"Ready for this plan to work? I'm so excited for you!" said Jennifer, twin sister of Nicole. "I really hope it works out for the both of you!"
"I hope so." said Richard, with slight nervousness. "I just hope it works out"
As Jennifer sat down with him to further discuss how this would all work out and how the plan would be set in place, one of Richard's quirks is when he comes up with a bunch of scenarios in his that are either positive or negative and overwhelm himself to the point where his mentality towards the occasion is unstable.
"You'll be fine Richard! Be confident and poised like you are always." Jennifer said, as she tries to pump motivation into Richard.
After thinking about a bunch of scenarios and feeling unsure about the situation, Richard decided that the endgame that he wants to achieve with this situation isn't going to happen in the state that he's in.
"You're right Jennifer." he replied. "I need to be exactly what you told me. I'm going to make it happen, despite my history!"
"Atta boy!" said Jennifer, with clear enthusiasm for her friend. "Let's go to lunch and make this happen!"
As both of them head to lunch and while Jennifer went to tell the other friends that were there at the parking lot of what is about to happen, Richard quickly texted his other group of friends that he won't be there with them to lunch today so he can carry out the plan. Richard took a deep breath and gathered as much motivation, steadiness and to get rid of the nerves before popping the question to Nicole.
"Hey Richie!" said Nicole, as she walked into the part of the parking lot where most of their friends hang out at. "Did you want to talk to me about something?"
"Yeah of course!" Richard replied. "I just didn't want to bring it up in 3rd period because I thought it would be better to tell you in a 1 on 1 setting." As both of them went inside her car to talk further to have a sense of privacy.
"So Nicole, we're both friends right?" Richard said, to start off the conversation.
"Of course we are," she replied. "Why would either one of us think otherwise?"
"Well..." gulps Richard. "I've...I've been thinking about this for a while and I wasn't sure how to bring this up." he said, as he twiddled with fingers very often to the point where Nicole noticed closely.
And with a final gulp and courage, Richard asked Nicole the question. "I was wondering... would yo-you go ou- out with m-me?" he said with a bit of nerves still left him, but enough courage to push it through.
Nicole was actually really shocked to hear Richard ask her that question, she was rather flattered and surprised. But just like all of Richard's chances with anyone, the same ol' answer came out of her mouth in a reply. "I would love to Richard! But the problem is, I'm already going out with someone else. We started going out a few weeks ago and I just see you more like a brother to me."
After hearing the answer, Richard's heart shattered and just about everything within him broke like glass, especially his heart. He shouldn't be surprised about the answer, he thought to himself. But why does it happen every time?
"Oh" he said, with a clear broken heart mumble. "Well-sorry for wasting your time then" as he got out of the car and headed towards Jennifer and the others to tell them what he just got told.
"Well... how did it go?" said Jennifer.
"About as well-like every other time, she's going out with someone else and has been doing so for about a few weeks." he said, with a bitter mood.
Everyone wasn't so surprised to hear, but clearly felt bad for him.
"Maybe you should've told him that back then..." said Jessica from the back.
"Excuse me...?" inquired Richard quickly. "What do you mean... back then? You mean to tell me all of you knew this back then and didn't tell me until now?"
"Well... you see." Jennifer said nervously. "Nicole did indeed started to go out with this guy from Bishops back then and when it happened, she told me that she wouldn't ever be interested in you like that, if you ever asked."
Richard then went from being sad and disappointment to confusion and becoming even more upset.
"So, then why didn't you tell me that? So, you wouldn't hurt my feelings?" he replied.
"Right." Jennifer replied. "But you see, I-"
"I don't want to fucking hear it" he intervened. "If all of you were really my friends, you would actually tell me this ahead of time, so I don't come into this situation looking like an unaware jackass ready to be broken again over the same thing I hear from every other person I like. I really wish you guys looked out for me, cared for me and like me the same way I treat all of you because I really do like all of you a lot as friends."
"But you decided it was best to put me through this again without telling me? Even when all of you know that I get rejected all of the fucking time?" he continued on. "Even with the fact that you all knew this for two weeks? You know fucking what? That's it. I'm done, y'all want to treat me like that? Well, all of you get what you've always wanted, I'm out of this fucking dump. Don't expect to see me again" Richard angrily finished, as he grabbed his backpack and walked off from that part of the parking lot before turning back around to say one more thing to his disgraced friends.
"Apparently, watching me crumble and break over and over again is better than to save me from it? Some friends I have." as he walked off the school campus.
Nicole got out of the car and noticed her fellow twin sister and other friends stood there in complete shock and disbelief.
"What happened?" Nicole inquired. "What did he tell you guys?"
"He snapped and got really furious at us." Brad replied, one of Richard's teammates from football and a brother figure to him.
"But why?" Nicole asked.
"Because he got upset that we withheld the fact that you decided to go out with Carson from Bishops for about a few weeks and told him you would never go out with him like that."
Nicole quickly realized that Richard actually never knew about the new relationship until now and was puzzled by why no one ever told him prior to today.
"Why didn't any of you guys ever told him that? It would've saved the outburst of emotion and anger he just did. What's wrong with you guys?" Nicole said in a very annoyed tone.
No one said a word back.
"I can't believe you guys, especially you Jennifer" Nicole continued. "I may indeed not like Richard the same way he does for a relationship, but I still like him as a brother to me because he treats me and all of us like we mean something to him. He takes care of us with respect, love, and concern. He's always there for us whenever we needed someone to talk to about our problems and just about everything a great friend will do. We need to go to his house after school and apologize for the bullshit you guys put him through. He doesn't deserve this!"
The group agreed, but weren't sure if Richard would even hear them out after what just occurred.