eight: the best grad date

It feels like a lifetime ago when the single most important event in my life was high school graduation. I suppose at the time it was quite a milestone, and the years following that really have been my coming of age. This is the story of the gentlemen that escorted me that night.

We were always friends, and in fact you were the guy that every girl in the class would refer to as the ‘nice guy.’ On Valentine’s Day you would take the time to send a candy-gram to every girl in the class, not just the one that caught your eye. You would always offer to drive people around, as you were one of the first to get their own car. Most importantly you would do just about anything for your friends. I don’t remember there ever being a time where I felt I couldn’t ask something of you. I know some of the other guys looked down on you, because they saw your behaviour as desperate, but I think they were secretly jealous.

I’m not too sure how we ended up going to grad together, especially since I was so set out on going with my friends. That was until my friends all got dates and I was starting to feel a bit like the black sheep of the group. I wish I had the kind of security I have now to attend events by myself, but back then going to high school grad by yourself had the social stigma of being leper outside the city walls. I think that’s what prompted you to ask me, a gesture of kindness towards a friend.

I had always imaged grad to be such a formality, especially the date part. Thankfully, we were friends so we did not have to partake in the awkward social rituals of grad. It was nice and simple, no fancy rented car, massive corsage (that would probably make me sneeze anyways) or expensive grad gift exchange. You were distinctly yourself with your cowboy hat and spurs, not a care in the world what others thought of you. Looking back I have many memories I am not too fond of in high school, but grad was definitely a nice way to end things off. Every time I think of the Niverville fair I remember our rain dodging shenanigans, and a time in our lives that was just simple and fun.

If you taught me anything, it is that nice guys do exist out there without any ulterior motives.