Mr. Small Town - High School

I grew up in Small Town, TX; Population 1,000 and growing. I didn’t date much in high school unless you count my Jr. Prom date who was Mormon (basically off limits to anyone non-Mormon). My first actual boyfriend pursued me at work late into my junior year. I tried warning him off since my mom wouldn’t allow me to date til I was 18 but that didn’t stop him. He boldly asked for my home number and took it upon himself to negotiate my very first date directly with my mom. I was immediately overwhelmed with nerves. I may have forgotten to mention that this guy was a looker. 2 years out of high school he was still well known for holding his senior year title of Mr. Small Town. He was cool, handsome and for some odd reason wanted to date me! So it was set, my official first date would be dinner and a ball game. It was traditional and sweet. I really can’t defend myself on this one. The combination of cool-factor, good looks and the best first date I could ask for did me in. I fell hard and fast with no real understanding of life, commitment, or love. But it felt good and we labeled it love. He escorted me to senior prom treating me to dinner and a night of ridiculously fun dancing. Like most couples, we did just about everything together. He treated me well and I thought life couldn't get any better. We even got along with each other’s families. Not being Ms. Popular at school, I’d never been fawned after before and it felt amazing.
Our relationship was like all first loves, I thought he was the one, til he wasn’t. I was approaching my college career and he had decided to switch colleges. In the end he said “I just want you to experience your first year of college the way I did. You deserve to be free to explore and have fun”. I’m pretty sure that meant he wanted to be free to explore and have fun.
And that my friends, was my very first heart break. I cried. I cried hard. You know that really ugly uncontrollable cry where you never seem to have enough Kleenex. I’m still curious as to how your body can create that much mucus in such a tiny part of your head. After the crying was over there wasn’t much else to say. I was moving to an even smaller town in East Texas and starting college soon.

Now, I’m not here to bash any of my exs but I dodged a bit of a bullet on this one (well all of them really but I’ll get to that later). In college I heard about two maybe even three DWIs and a horrible alcohol problem. I just can’t imagine getting so drunk you pass out in your running vehicle in the median of a main interception - Mind blown and breakup more than solidified. But don’t you worry folks, I hear from the grapevine that he has since settled down and is married with kids and I am genuinely happy for him.