If there's one thing I've learned to accept and incorporate in my life over the past few weeks, it would be patience and the act of being patient. It may have been something as small as waiting in line at the cafeteria or waiting for maintenance on a video game before I could play, to something as big as waiting to find out more about an amazing girl.
Mostly, I've learned that being patient with that girl, Brianne, has been extremely rewarding. My test of patience and discovery of a great friend in Brianne first started with the second or third day of our art class. Everyone had just presented his or her artwork, and Brianne complimented mine, impressed with my creativity, and even asked to get a copy for her room. I was of course filled with joy and my ego boosted, but at the same time, my eyes and my mind were opened to her. I don't remember if it was after that class or the next one, but we went to eat dinner at the cafeteria, spending three or four hours just talking and getting to know each other. For the next couple of art classes, we would talk and go to dinner, always spending a lot of time together.
As you may have guessed from this point onward, I had fallen for her. This was a girl that had a good deal in common with me, and I was genuinely attracted to her. We could talk about our lives, our schools, psychology, math, art, social life, our experiences... whatever came to mind, we both had (and still have) something to talk about.
The only problem - I didn't know if she was single or not. So, being the covert operative that I am, I looked on Facebook to see if there was anything posted there. Nothing. Next area to cover was pictures. From there, I found a few, particular a Valentine's Day album, with her and another guy. No kissing pics, but I had a strong suspicion that he was a boyfriend. Not enough to give up though.
So patient I was. I took the time to learn more about her, and let a really good friendship establish between us. Days passed, maybe a week. Dinner after art classes continued, and so did the fun conversations. By now, we had ventured out to a few different places around town. One particular day, I picked her up from health services to go eat at Macado's, a great restaurant/pub just down the street. We had a great time, but then realized that she had to make it back to her bus stop by 6:45 p.m. As we rushed and managed to make it back in time, I made the offer to take her home to Greensboro. I had classes the next day that I really shouldn't have skipped, and doing something of this nature seemed a bit strange for me, but it was another chance to spend time with Brianne and have a good time. So I drove her home for the two hours it took to get from Boone to Greensboro, and as we neared our destination, she began to call Dustin, because that was where we were heading.
Then it all hit me at once. She was taken. She was dating this guy Dustin. I had just spent my evening and lost my next day of classes to bring this girl to her boyfriend's apartment, and I was too clueless to realize what I had done. But no, this was still not enough to give up. I was invited to stay overnight, and I took them up on the offer. We drank some wine, got some groceries, watched some TV, hung out, and then headed to bed. The whole time though, I observed, for the most part silent, as I always do, to analyze the situation. I got these vibes that things were awkward between Brianne and Dustin, and that there wasn't much of a connection. I saw them kiss though, and that of course, was yet another stab in the heart. But I continued to observe and just relax. The next day came, and I hung out with them, having a great time. My mindset changed from being distraught to trying to enjoy the time spent with some friends. I returned to Boone that evening, but I can't really remember what happened afterwards.
There was no reason to act differently around Brianne, so things stayed as they were. Our friendship grew stronger, and we began to have more fun and adventures as the days passed. Over the past two weeks, we've been hiking and meeting new people, going to parties, smoking up, etc. Basically, just have a even better time than before.
And then, one weekend, while I was over in her room, I ended up spending the night with her. It was awesome. We cuddled and slept, and I couldn't have slept better that night because she was by my side. It was during this time and the evening leading up to that night that I talked to her about my past, my dad, and she talked about her past. We really connected and came to understand each other on a deeper level. So for the next few nights, I stayed over at her place. The second night, I managed to finally get my feelings out and tell her that I liked her, and that I desired nothing more than to simply kiss her. She stated that she had similar feelings, but she needed to wrap things up with Dustin and get things officially ended. I completely understood, so I waited.
Patience.
Three or four days later, in random conversation, she exclaimed she was now single. While I didn't outright react, I was smiling in my mind. That night, we kissed, and it was amazing.
Over the past four or five days, we have been enjoying a fantabulous Easter Break here at App, going to Hebron Rock Colony to hike, going out to eat, meeting new people, rock climbing with her roommate, Marlow, and her friends. And, needless to say, there have been more connections and "physicalities" established between us both, and I couldn't be more happy. There is no classification as to what we are or what shall be or anything. We're merely enjoying the moments. That's what I love most about our friendship.
I'll never forget these days and these memories.
Nor shall I forget the lessons of patience that I have learned.
